jack-in-the-box

American  

[jak-in-thuh-boks] / ˈdʒæk ɪn ðəˌbɒks /

Or jack-in-a-box

noun

• jack-in-the-boxes
  plural

1. a toy consisting of a box from which an enclosed figure springs up when the lid is opened.

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jack-in-the-box British  

noun

1. a toy consisting of a figure on a compressed spring in a box, which springs out when the lid is opened

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• jack-in-the-boxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jack-in-the-box

First recorded in 1545–55

Explanation

Do you enjoy being startled? Try playing with a jack-n-the-box. Operated with a crank, this kind of music box plays a little tune until a clown suddenly pops out of an opening in the top. Fun! A jack-in-the-box can be a bit terrifying, especially to a very small child who's not expecting to see a scary (or smiling) face emerge abruptly from a colorful music box. The history of this strange toy emphasizes its frightening nature. In France, it's called diable en boîte, or "devil in a box," and is thought to be inspired by a 14th-century English folklore hero who captured the devil in his boot.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jack-in-the-box jack-in-the-boxes

They discovered that the TCR behaves like a jack-in-the-box, staying compact until it encounters an antigen or another suspicious particle, at which point it rapidly opens.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 18, 2025

When I’m gone, they tuck her in, and at 2 a.m., when she pops up like a jack-in-the-box, giggling and whining, they sit with her until she exhausts herself and falls back to sleep.

From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2025

Pakistan's jack-in-the-box surprise element now feels akin to a cliche from a bygone era.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2025

While not wildly original, his jack-in-the-box surprises are skillfully, tautly executed.

From New York Times ● Oct. 20, 2022

Richard Parker could shred it with his claws with a little time and effort, but he couldn’t pop through it like a jack-in-the-box.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

The charm and experimental spontaneity of A Hard Day's Night has here been replaced by highly professional, carefully calculated camera work and cutting, plus a story line made out of finely wrought jack-in-the-boxes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dolls and drums and horns, jack-in-the-boxes, toy lambs, furry dogs, soft white rabbits stuck out in every direction.

From Little Friend Lydia by Ethel Calvert Phillips

She laughed pretty laughs; she admired everything; she took out the darling little jack-in-the-boxes, and was so obliged to Sam.

From The History of Pendennis, Volume 2 His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest Enemy by William Makepeace Thackeray

He has got a hat full of jack-in-the-boxes.

From The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851 by Various