en pañales
Spanish
FWOTD – 26 April 2013
Etymology
Literally, “in diapers”.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /em paˈɲales/ [ẽm paˈɲa.les]
- Syllabification: en pa‧ña‧les
Adjective
- (idiomatic) in the very early stages of something; still green; wet behind the ears
- 2003, Etienne G. Krug, Informe mundial sobre la violencia y la salud, Organización Panamericana de la Salud, page 216:
- El estudio de los factores protectores está todavía en pañales.
- The study of the protective factors is still in its early stages.
- 2001 January 19, Robert J. Michaels, “Una política energética en pañales [An energy policy in its infancy]”, in El Instituto Independiente[1]: