Soapbox
noun
A box or crate used as a makeshift stand by a public speaker.
The politician stood on a soapbox to deliver his speech to the crowd.
Often appears as...
- stand on a soapbox
- climbing on a soapbox
noun
A situation, platform, or opportunity for expressing one’s views publicly and passionately.
She used the meeting as a soapbox to express her ideas about the new project.
Often appears as...
- use as a soapbox
- jump on a soapbox
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A box or crate used as a makeshift stand by a public speaker.
The politician stood on a soapbox to deliver his speech to the crowd.
Often appears as...
- stand on a soapbox
- climbing on a soapbox
noun
A situation, platform, or opportunity for expressing one’s views publicly and passionately.
She used the meeting as a soapbox to express her ideas about the new project.
Often appears as...
- use as a soapbox
- jump on a soapbox
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Roots
Originally, speakers used actual soap crates as stands for public speaking, hence the term 'soapbox.'
Back in the day, anyone with an opinion and a soapbox could gather a crowd at the park.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
A 'soapbox' can be any temporary platform used for making an impromptu speech.
He found an old crate and used it as a soapbox to address the passersby.
Pro Tip 3/3Figuratively Speaking
Sometimes 'soapbox' is used figuratively to mean taking a stance on issues publicly.
Whenever she gets on her soapbox, you know she's about to talk about environmental issues.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Roots
Originally, speakers used actual soap crates as stands for public speaking, hence the term 'soapbox.'
Back in the day, anyone with an opinion and a soapbox could gather a crowd at the park.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
A 'soapbox' can be any temporary platform used for making an impromptu speech.
He found an old crate and used it as a soapbox to address the passersby.
Pro Tip 3/3Figuratively Speaking
Sometimes 'soapbox' is used figuratively to mean taking a stance on issues publicly.
Whenever she gets on her soapbox, you know she's about to talk about environmental issues.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Roots
Originally, speakers used actual soap crates as stands for public speaking, hence the term 'soapbox.'
Back in the day, anyone with an opinion and a soapbox could gather a crowd at the park.
Pro Tip 2/3Literal Use
A 'soapbox' can be any temporary platform used for making an impromptu speech.
He found an old crate and used it as a soapbox to address the passersby.
Pro Tip 3/3Figuratively Speaking
Sometimes 'soapbox' is used figuratively to mean taking a stance on issues publicly.
Whenever she gets on her soapbox, you know she's about to talk about environmental issues.
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Video examples
On the Road With Andrew...
world you realize you have to lay yourself vulnerable to the world and ask for help and you become much less fearful in the world and so I think the country would be and if our country is different the world would be a different place much less fearful place but so for me travel that's my soapbox and for me
Video examples
There's no such thing as...
in local places but nationwide, a concerted effort to revive a face-to-face set of ways to engage and outdoor shows in which candidates and their causes are mocked and praised in broad satirical style; soapbox speeches by citizens;
Video examples
On the Road With Andrew...
world you realize you have to lay yourself vulnerable to the world and ask for help and you become much less fearful in the world and so I think the country would be and if our country is different the world would be a different place much less fearful place but so for me travel that's my soapbox and for me
Video examples
There's no such thing as...
in local places but nationwide, a concerted effort to revive a face-to-face set of ways to engage and outdoor shows in which candidates and their causes are mocked and praised in broad satirical style; soapbox speeches by citizens;
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Chris Harrison
American Entertainer
Not to get too deep, but I was brought up by these women who if you wanted to label them, maybe they were feminists, but you know what? They never asked for that or wanted it and they never got up on a soapbox and spoke about it, they just did it. They did their work, they did their jobs, they were who they were.
Quote examples
Casey Affleck
American Actor
I believe veganism can be beneficial for the individual and the world, and of course the animal, but belief is like laying in the dark with someone and telling them you love them and hearing nothing back. So I've never had the confidence to get on a soapbox and tell someone else what to do.
Quote examples
Bruce Springsteen
American Musician
I don't like to write rhetorically or get on a soapbox. I try to make the stuff multi-layered, so that it always has a life outside its social context. I don't believe that you can tell people anything; you can only draw them in.
Quote examples
Bill Gates
American Businessman
There's no such thing as going to a soapbox and saying, 'The government's corrupt,' and not having the intelligence service see your face. In the digital world, that can be done.
Quote examples
Nick Offerman
American Actor
I'm enjoying the opportunity that 'Parks And Recreation' affords me to exploit my own soapbox agenda, which is to try to encourage people to make things with their hands.
Quote examples
Chris Gethard
American Actor
I have no desire to get on a soapbox or be preachy. I don't think comedy needs to be 'brave' or 'important.
Quote examples
Lena Waithe
American Actress
I don't like beating people on the head with the message. I don't like standing on the soapbox.
Quote examples
Mel Brooks
American Comedian
If you stand on a soapbox and trade rhetoric with a dictator you never win.
Quote examples
Dylan Moran
Irish Comedian
I'm Irish, yeah, but I don't need to get up on a soapbox about it.
Quote examples
Art Alexakis
American Musician
For the most part, I don't like people who soapbox.
Quote examples
Chris Harrison
American Entertainer
Not to get too deep, but I was brought up by these women who if you wanted to label them, maybe they were feminists, but you know what? They never asked for that or wanted it and they never got up on a soapbox and spoke about it, they just did it. They did their work, they did their jobs, they were who they were.
Quote examples
Casey Affleck
American Actor
I believe veganism can be beneficial for the individual and the world, and of course the animal, but belief is like laying in the dark with someone and telling them you love them and hearing nothing back. So I've never had the confidence to get on a soapbox and tell someone else what to do.
Quote examples
Bruce Springsteen
American Musician
I don't like to write rhetorically or get on a soapbox. I try to make the stuff multi-layered, so that it always has a life outside its social context. I don't believe that you can tell people anything; you can only draw them in.
Quote examples
Bill Gates
American Businessman
There's no such thing as going to a soapbox and saying, 'The government's corrupt,' and not having the intelligence service see your face. In the digital world, that can be done.
Quote examples
Nick Offerman
American Actor
I'm enjoying the opportunity that 'Parks And Recreation' affords me to exploit my own soapbox agenda, which is to try to encourage people to make things with their hands.
Quote examples
Chris Gethard
American Actor
I have no desire to get on a soapbox or be preachy. I don't think comedy needs to be 'brave' or 'important.
Quote examples
Lena Waithe
American Actress
I don't like beating people on the head with the message. I don't like standing on the soapbox.
Quote examples
Mel Brooks
American Comedian
If you stand on a soapbox and trade rhetoric with a dictator you never win.
Quote examples
Dylan Moran
Irish Comedian
I'm Irish, yeah, but I don't need to get up on a soapbox about it.
Quote examples
Art Alexakis
American Musician
For the most part, I don't like people who soapbox.
Example 1 of 10
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