poor box

poor box (plural poor boxes)

1. A locked box with a slot for depositing coins, usually placed in churches to accept donations for the needy.

   Alternative forms: poorbox, poor's box (dated)

   • 1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn:

     It is a strange fact, but it is unquestionably true that almost any English intellectual would feel more ashamed of standing to attention during “God save the King” than of stealing from a poor box.