soapbox

American  

[sohp-boks] / ˈsoʊpˌbɒks /

noun

1. Also soap box an improvised platform, as one on a street, from which a speaker delivers an informal speech, an appeal, or political harangue.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a speaker or speech from a soapbox.

soapbox British  

/ ˈsəʊpˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box or crate for packing soap

2. a crate used as a platform for speech-making

3. a child's homemade racing cart consisting of a wooden box set on a wooden frame with wheels and a steerable front axle

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Etymology

Origin of soapbox

First recorded in 1650–60; soap + box ¹

Example Sentences

Off his soapbox, Negrete then chided his friends for making him cry before heading to a drag show.

From Los Angeles Times

“My soapbox may have been slippery, but people tend to love murder mysteries. So I wrapped my heart in one.”

From Los Angeles Times

But “The Paper” is a spinoff of “The Office” — in the loosest sense — so this isn’t a soapbox.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m not standing on a soapbox and shouting,” Graham says.

From Los Angeles Times

The BID has hosted a soapbox derby, an autumn festival, and a "dino day", where actors dress up as dinosaurs and walk around the town to entertain children.

From BBC

Related Words

• acknowledge
• admit
• affirm
• avow
• confess
• feign
• pretend
• proclaim
• stump