knee-high to a grasshopper

Idioms  

1. Quite young, as in I haven't seen him since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. This hyperbolic expression, dating from about 1850 and alluding to someone's youth, replaced the earlier knee-high to a mosquito or bumblebee or splinter.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

knee-high to a grasshopper

I had a most amazing lot of prayers at the tip of my tongue when I wasn't no more'n knee-high to a grasshopper.

From Black Jack by Max Brand

Now I warn't never inside a schoolhouse in my life, but I've known from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper how to make maple-sugar.

From The Story of Sugar by Sara Ware Bassett

Knowed Bill when he was a little cack, knee-high to a grasshopper.

From Radio Boys Cronies Or, Bill Brown's Radio by Wayne Whipple

Last time I saw her she was only about knee-high to a grasshopper, but I suspect I shall find a young lady now, and have to be introduced to her.”

From Caps and Capers A Story of Boarding-School Life by C. M. (Charles Mark) Relyea

I reckon, Mr. Hamlin, that they know everything you ever did since you were knee-high to a grasshopper, and a good deal more than you ever thought of doin'.

From Trent's Trust, and Other Stories by Bret Harte