rattle-box
Definition
- Noun:
- A child's toy that makes a rattling sound: "rattle-box" refers to a toy, often a container with loose objects inside, that produces a rattling noise when shaken.
- A talkative person (colloquial): In informal usage, "rattle-box" denotes a person who talks excessively or noisily, similar to a chatterbox.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The baby shook the rattle-box happily, enjoying the noise. (A toy that rattles.)
- My neighbour is such a rattle-box; she talks for hours without stopping. (A talkative person.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be a rattle-box": to be habitually talkative or gossipy.
- He's a rattle-box at parties, always dominating the conversation. (He talks a lot in social settings.)
Variants and Related Words
Rattle-bag (n): an alternative form of "rattle-box," meaning the same toy or a talkative person.
- She bought a rattle-bag for her nephew. (A rattling toy.)
Rattle (n/v): a series of short, sharp sounds; or to make such sounds.
- The rattle of the train woke me. (Noun: a rattling noise.)
- The window rattles in the wind. (Verb: to make a rattling sound.)
Synonyms
- Rattler (n): a toy that rattles (less common).
- Chatterbox (n): a talkative person.
Related Idioms
Rattle someone's cage: to annoy or provoke someone.
- Don't rattle his cage; he's already upset. (Do not provoke him.)
Rattle off: to say or recite something quickly and easily.
- She can rattle off all the state capitals. (She can recite them rapidly.)