Words / A1

jak-inth-uh-BOKS/ˌdʒæk ɪn ðə ˈbɒks/

A jack-in-the-box is a toy: a clown (or animal) on a spring jumps out when you open the lid. Countable: a jack-in-the-box, jack-in-the-boxes. Write hyphens: jack-in-the-box. A puppet is on strings or a hand; a doll does not jump from a box. Mix-up: Jack (a name) + box as two list words — this is one toy.

Meaning

A toy box; a clown on a spring jumps out when you open the lid.

Examples

• “The child laughed at the jack-in-the-box.”
• “The jack-in-the-box frightened the baby.”
• “Wind the handle on the jack-in-the-box slowly.”

Good to know

a jack-in-the-box (hyphens, spring toy). Contrast: puppet (strings), doll (no jump). Mix-up: Jack + box.

New