high waters

American  

plural noun

Slang.

1. trousers short enough to expose the ankles, especially as worn by growing children whom they earlier fit.

---

Etymology

Origin of high waters

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

Her neighbor had tried to drive through high waters on a flooded road and had to be rescued from the roof of her car by the Coast Guard, video taken by Langer showed.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023

California’s high waters are now receding, but the opportunity to capture runoff will likely continue through the spring as a hefty mountain snowpack melts.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 22, 2023

However, the Mose, a system of 78 flood gates rising from the Venetian lagoon floor, was activated in advance overnight, shielding the city from the high waters seen at sea.

From Reuters • Nov. 22, 2022

The sheriff’s office in Volusia County said it was looking into whether it needed to acquire more vehicles capable of traveling in high waters.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2022

The high waters along the shoreline had caused some of the animals to migrate inland, deep into the Amazonian rain forest.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple