How do you use "Knee-high to a grasshopper" in a sentence?

I've known that boy since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. She's been singing in the church choir since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper!

Knee-high to a grasshopper

American Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate informal

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Meaning: Very young or very small; used when reminiscing about someone's childhood.

非常年幼或非常矮小；用于回忆某人的童年时光。

Muy pequeño o muy joven; se usa al rememorar la infancia de alguien.

非常に幼い、またはとても小さい。誰かの幼少期を懐かしく振り返るときに使う表現。

아주 어린, 또는 아주 작은. 누군가의 어린 시절을 회상할 때 사용하는 표현.

This charming Southern expression is almost always used nostalgically — someone reminiscing about knowing you when you were tiny. 'I've known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper' is a classic Southern greeting to a young person they haven't seen in a while.

这个迷人的南方表达几乎总是带着怀旧意味——某人在回忆你很小的时候。'I've known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper'（你还只有蚱蜢膝盖那么高的时候我就认识你了）是南方人跟许久未见的年轻人打招呼时的经典用语。

Esta encantadora expresión sureña se usa casi siempre con nostalgia — alguien que recuerda haberte conocido cuando eras diminuto. 'I've known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper' (te conozco desde que te llegabas a la rodilla de un saltamontes) es un saludo sureño clásico para un joven al que no han visto en un tiempo.

この魅力的な南部の表現は、ほぼ必ず懐かしさを込めて使われる——誰かが小さかった頃を思い出す表現である。「バッタの膝丈くらいの頃から君を知っている」は、しばらく会っていなかった若い人への典型的な南部式の挨拶だ。

이 매력적인 남부 표현은 거의 항상 향수를 담아 사용된다 — 당신이 아주 어렸을 때를 기억하며 하는 말이다. 'I've known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper'는 오랫동안 못 본 젊은 사람에게 하는 전형적인 남부식 인사이다.

Examples

I've known that boy since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
那孩子还丁点儿大的时候我就认识他了。
Conozco a ese chico desde que era un renacuajo.
あの子がバッタの膝丈くらいの頃から知っているよ。
그 아이를 메뚜기 무릎 높이만 할 때부터 알고 있었지.
She's been singing in the church choir since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.
她还那么小的时候就开始在教堂唱诗班唱歌了。
Canta en el coro de la iglesia desde que era una enana.
彼女はバッタの膝丈くらいの頃から教会の聖歌隊で歌っている。
그녀는 메뚜기 무릎 높이만 할 때부터 교회 성가대에서 노래했어.
Last time I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper!
上次见你的时候，你还那么一丁点儿大呢！
¡La última vez que te vi eras un renacuajo!
最後に会ったとき、君はバッタの膝丈くらいだったよ！
마지막으로 봤을 때 넌 메뚜기 무릎 높이만 했었는데!

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: nostalgia, reunions, family gatherings

Tone: nostalgic, affectionate

✓ Do Say

Known her since she was knee-high to a grasshopper.
她还那么丁点儿大的时候我就认识她了。
La conozco desde que era una enana.
彼女がバッタの膝丈くらいの頃から知っているよ。
그녀를 메뚜기 무릎 높이만 할 때부터 알고 있었지.
Back when I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
我还那么小的时候。
Cuando yo era un renacuajo.
私がバッタの膝丈くらいだった頃はね。
내가 메뚜기 무릎 높이만 했을 적에.

✗ Don't Say

Don't use to describe something currently small — it's specifically about childhood or the past
不要用来形容当前很小的东西——这个表达专门用于童年或过去的事
No lo uses para describir algo que es pequeño actualmente — se refiere específicamente a la infancia o al pasado
現在小さいものの描写には使わないこと——この表現は幼少期や過去についてのみ使う
현재 작은 것을 묘사하는 데 사용하지 말 것 — 이 표현은 어린 시절이나 과거에 대해서만 쓴다

Origin & History

First recorded in American usage in the 1814 publication 'The Devil's Walk.' The grasshopper variant emphasizes just how tiny the person was — even smaller than a grasshopper's knee, an absurdly small measurement.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Throughout the South and rural America