Jack-in-the-box

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Children’s toy consisting of a small box from which a male figure pops out unexpectedly after some turnings of a crank.

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

  2. 2
    plaything consisting of a toy clown that jumps out of a box when the lid is opened wordnet
  3. 3
    A small but powerful kind of screw, used by burglars to break open safes. historical

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

  4. 4
    A con-man who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money. obsolete

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: jackinthebox