in short pants
English
editEtymology
editFrom an early 20th century practice of reserving short pants only for small children.
Prepositional phrase
edit- (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.