little pitcher

English

Etymology

From the saying little pitchers have big ears.

Pronunciation

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Noun

little pitcher (plural little pitchers)

1. (idiomatic, chiefly in the plural) A child.
   • 1854, Charles Dickens, “chapter 2”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC:

     Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts.

   • 1875, Louisa M[ay] Alcott, chapter 15, in Eight Cousins‎^[1]:

     "Promise not to tell, or I shall be teased to death," she added, anxiously, entirely forgetting the two little pitchers gifted with eyes as well as ears, who had been watching the whole performance from afar.