the box

IPA/ðə bˈɒks/
IPA/ðə bˈɑːks/

the box — idiom

1. an informal way of referring to a television set or the programmes that are broa

1.慣用語B1
釋義

an informal way of referring to a television set or the programmes that are broadcast on it

例句

After dinner, Cyrus would settle into his armchair and watch the box for hours.

collocation: watch the box

Elena asked her flatmate if he wanted to see what was on the box tonight.

collocation: on the box

同義詞
  • TV

    the standard neutral abbreviation, used in all varieties of English

  • the telly

    another informal British term for television, perhaps more common in spoken conversation than 'the box'

文法句型

the + box (used as a singular noun)

用法筆記

The phrase 'the box' is informal and used mainly in British English. In American English, speakers more commonly say 'the TV' or 'the tube'. The word 'box' always appears with the definite article 'the' when used in this idiomatic sense; saying 'a box' would refer to a literal container.

常見錯誤

❌I need to buy a new box for my bedroom.' (ambiguous — could mean a cardboard container).
✅I need to buy a new TV for my bedroom.
💡'The box' with the definite article is the idiom; 'a box' is a literal container.