Meaning of jack-in-the-box | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Children’s toy consisting of a small box from which a male figure pops out unexpectedly after some turnings of a crank.
2. A small but powerful kind of screw, used by burglars to break open safes.
   historical
3. A con-man who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money.
   obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“"Did you venture to call⟳ me a liar?" ("No, sir, no!" shouted the accused, and disappeared like⟳ a Jack-in-the-box.)”

““There’s this terrible business to start⟳ with. Scotland Yard men in and out of the house like⟳ a jack-in-the-box! Never know⟳ where they won’t turn⟳ up next.””

“Normally, you ring⟳ a bell and you have⟳ at least a half-minute wait⟳ before the door opens. But this person was like⟳ a jack-in-the-box. He pressed the bell—and out she popped! It made him jump⟳.”

“It was possible, from underneath, to use⟳ the old jack-in-the-box safe-breaker's tool which lay⟳ in his gasman's bag.”

CEFR level