jack-in-the-box

noun

ˈjak-ən-t͟hə-ˌbäks 

plural jack-in-the-boxes or jacks-in-the-box

: a toy consisting of a small box out of which a figure (as of a clown's head) springs when the lid is raised

Examples of jack-in-the-box in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The play wants Josh’s secret involving a past incident with his father-in-law to spring out at the climax like a jack-in-the-box, but the information, already hazily intuited by the audience, is awkwardly integrated into the larger story. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023

Frequent disruptions put us on high alert like a jack-in-the-box, triggering a release of adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol. —Brittany Harker Martin, Fortune Well, 4 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

jack-in-the-box

noun

ˈjak-ən-t͟hə-ˌbäks

plural jack-in-the-boxes or jacks-in-the-box

: a small box out of which a figure (as of a clown's head) springs when the lid is raised