soapbox

soapbox
1. noun /ˈsəʊpbɒks/
a) A crate for packing soap, or, by extension, any inexpensive crude platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it, especially when used for speeches.

The madman obtained a soapbox which he stood on at the corner of Broadway and Wall street, to shout out his prophesy of the end of the world.

b) A talk about ones pet topic (or the topic itself,) especially when only tangentially relevant to an ongoing discussion.

Hes been on his soapbox all day about the new football coach.

2. verb /ˈsəʊpbɒks/
To give a speech from (or as if from) a soapbox.

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  • soapbox — [sōp′bäks΄] n. 1. a box or crate for soap ☆ 2. any improvised platform used by a person (soapbox orator) making an informal, often impassioned speech to a street audience, as on a current, controversial issue …   English World dictionary

  • soapbox — also soap box, 1650s, box for holding soap, later especially a wooden crate in which soap may be packed. Typical of a makeshift stand for a public orator since at least 1907. Also used by children to make racing carts, Cf. soap box derby, annual… …   Etymology dictionary

  • soapbox — ► NOUN 1) a box or crate used as a makeshift stand for public speaking. 2) an opportunity for someone to air their views publicly …   English terms dictionary

  • Soapbox — This article is about a raised platform. For other uses, see Soapbox (disambiguation). For the Wikipedia policy, see Wikipedia:NOTSOAPBOX. A man soapboxing in Speakers Corner, London A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an… …   Wikipedia

  • soapbox — [[t]so͟ʊpbɒks[/t]] soapboxes 1) N COUNT A soapbox is a small temporary platform on which a person stands when he or she is making a speech outdoors. He stood on his soapbox, his head clearly visible above often hostile crowds. ...soapbox speeches …   English dictionary

  • soapbox — UK [ˈsəʊpˌbɒks] / US [ˈsoʊpˌbɑks] noun [countable] Word forms soapbox : singular soapbox plural soapboxes a box that someone stands on to make a speech in public • get/be on your soapbox to tell other people your opinions in an annoying way He s… …   English dictionary

  • Soapbox — Ein Mann beim soapboxen im Speakers Corner, London Eine soapbox (deutsch Seifenkiste) ist eine improvisierte Plattform für einen Redner unter freiem Himmel. Insbesondere in England wird das Wort auch metaphorisch für das Recht auf freie Rede… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • soapbox — soap|box [ˈsəupbɔks US ˈsoupba:ks] n [C usually singular] informal if someone is on their soapbox, they are telling people their opinions about something in a loud and forceful way on your soapbox ▪ Environmental activists have climbed on their… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • soapbox — noun get on your soapbox informal to tell people your own strong opinions about something loudly and forcefully: Don t mention politics, or Burt will be back on his soapbox again …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • soapbox — noun Date: 1907 an improvised platform used by a self appointed, spontaneous, or informal orator; broadly something that provides an outlet for delivering opinions • soapbox adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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