poor box

American  

noun

1. a box, especially in a church, into which contributions for people in need can be dropped.

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poor box British  

noun

1. a box, esp one in a church, used for the collection of alms or money for the poor

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Etymology

Origin of poor box

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poor box

While Zegler and Disney declined to comment for the piece, the article quotes an anonymous insider who blamed the movie’s poor box office returns on Zegler.

From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2025

The unit was also hurt by the poor box office performance of “Suicide Squad.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024

Since Pollesch took the reins, the theater’s program has been a hot mess, with critical pans and poor box office returns.

From New York Times ● Jan. 20, 2023

With the recent Fantastic Four reboot’s poor box office performance, a lot of people are wondering if superhero fatigue is setting in.

From Time ● Aug. 20, 2015

Healed in both body and soul, Pedro Tercero Garcia made his way to the capital with a bundle of clothes and a few coins the priest had taken from the poor box.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende