high waters

noun, (used with a plural verb) Slang.
1.
trousers short enough to expose the ankles, especially as worn by growing children whom they earlier fit.
Also called flooders.
Origin
1855-60, Americanism

high water

noun
1.
water at its greatest elevation, as in a river.
2.
high tide.
Origin
1545-55
Examples from the web for high waters
  • On occasion, the area can be closed due to high waters.
  • Due to the flooding, high waters may partially fill the floodplain and potentially cause breaches in the dirt levee.
  • During the spring high waters, the river is used for canoeing and kayaking.
  • The average of all high waters observed over a sufficiently long period.
  • It is widely used for kayaking during the annual spring high waters.
  • However, when the river flowed high, it created the bench that is exposed when the high waters recede.
  • Also, high waters forced the evacuation of several trailer parks along the river.
  • Use caution crossing stream to enter during high waters.
  • Several stream-gaging stations were destroyed or severely damaged by the high waters.
  • Drainage was inadequate for high waters that spring, and the houses became infested with bed bugs and other insects.
British Dictionary definitions for high waters

high water

noun
1.
another name for high tide (sense 1)
2.
the state of any stretch of water at its highest level, as during a flood
HW
Slang definitions & phrases for high waters

high waters

noun phrase

(also high water pants or high waders or flood pants) Trousers that are shorter than current fashion dictates, esp that end above the ankles: Look at his high waters!

[fr the notion that the trousers have been chosen or rolled up for walking through high water]


high water

Related Terms

come hell or high water