cookie jar
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A container for storing cookies: A "cookie jar" is a jar, typically made of ceramic, glass, or plastic, designed specifically for storing cookies to keep them fresh or accessible.
- A metaphorical hiding place for money: Informally, a "cookie jar" can refer to a secret or personal stash of money, often kept at home.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- She reached into the cookie jar for a snack. (She retrieved a cookie from the container.)
- He keeps his spare cash in the old cookie jar on the shelf. (He uses the jar as a place to hide his extra money.)
Advanced Usage
- "To have one's hand in the cookie jar": To be stealing or taking something, especially money, often from a source to which one has trusted access.
- The accountant was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. (The accountant was discovered embezzling funds.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cookie jarring (n, informal): The act of taking money from a secret stash or reserve, often used in a corporate context to describe improper use of funds.
- The company was accused of cookie jarring to smooth its earnings.
- Cookie jar reserve (n, finance): An accounting term for an overly large reserve of funds set aside to manipulate financial results in future periods.
Synonyms
- Biscuit tin (n, chiefly British): A container for storing biscuits (cookies).
- Jar (n): A wide-mouthed container, which can be used for cookies.
- Stash (n): A secret store of something, especially money.
Related Phrases
- "Jar" as a verb: To place or store in a jar.
- She likes to jar her homemade cookies. (She likes to store her homemade cookies in a jar.)
- "Cookie-cutter" (adj): Lacking originality; mass-produced. (Note: This is a distinct compound word, not a usage of "cookie jar").
- The houses in the development were all cookie-cutter. (The houses were all identical and unoriginal.)
Related Idioms
- "That's the way the cookie crumbles": That's the unfortunate way things have turned out; that's life. (Note: This idiom uses "cookie," not "cookie jar," but is thematically related).
- We didn't get the contract, but that's the way the cookie crumbles. (That's just an unfortunate outcome we must accept.)
Noun
- a jar in which cookies are kept (and sometimes money is hidden)