in short pants

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From an early 20th century practice of reserving short pants only for small children.

Prepositional phrase

[edit]

in short pants

  1. (Canada, US) In short trousers.
    • 1948, Albert Craig Baird, Lester Thonssen, Waldo Warder Braden, Owen Peterson, Representative American Speeches:
      Dr. Smith said a moment ago that we are scientifically adult but spiritually in short pants.

See also

[edit]