Etymology From soap + box. The figurative use of the word derives from the fact that soap products in the US used to be commonly transported to stores in large wooden boxes. It used to be common for individuals to give impromptu rally speeches to their neighbors by finding something to stand on like a soapbox.
A small platform, being or resembling a literal soapbox, on which a person stands in order to give an impromptu speech or espouse their views.
The madman obtained a soapbox which he stood on at the corner of Broadway and Wall street, to shout out his prophecy of the end of the world.
The one image which the word “Socialist” brought to Jurgis was of poor little Tamoszius Kuszleika, who had called himself one, and would go out with a couple of other men and a soap-box, and shout himself hoarse on a street corner Saturday nights.1905 April–October, Upton Sinclair, chapter XXV, in The Jungle, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 26 February 1906, →OCLC:
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Figuratively, Often, Pejorative A platform or outlet, such as a media platform, that a person uses to express their opinions.
The politician used Twitter as his soapbox.
Please stop using council meetings as your own personal soapbox.
1 more example
Bernhard's last appearance on a late-night talk show was a handy soapbox to expound on his political message of patriotism, nationalism, and populism.2013, Robert F. Ely, Candidate for President, →ISBN, page 25:
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Derogatory, Especially A figurative means of talking repeatedly or at length about one's opinions on one's pet topic.
In phrases such as 'on/off one's soapbox'
He's been on his soapbox all day about the new football coach.
Etymology From soap + box. The figurative use of the word derives from the fact that soap products in the US used to be commonly transported to stores in large wooden boxes. It used to be common for individuals to give impromptu rally speeches to their neighbors by finding something to stand on like a soapbox.
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To give a speech from (or as if from) a soapbox.
He soapboxed for whales and pressed us to write petitions and demonstrate with him—he as the leader, we as followers.2011, Phil Wolfson, Noe: A Father-Son Song of Love, Life, Illness, and Death, North Atlantic Books, →ISBN:
[…] and various members soapboxed in Hyde Park on Sunday.2015, Marc Matera, Black London: The Imperial Metropolis and Decolonization in the Twentieth Century, University of California Press, →ISBN, page 80: