ENGLISH
REFERENCE

swaddling clothes

idiom
Meaning

An early period in development, infancy, the beginnings of something; inception.


Examples
SIMPLE

The new project is still in its swaddling clothes.

CONTEXTUAL

The startup is still in its swaddling clothes, so they are not ready to hire many employees yet.

COMPLEX

Although the technology remains in its swaddling clothes, experts believe it will eventually change how we interact with the world.

Anchors to
Related idioms3entries
  1. 01

    change of clothes

    A set of clothes in addition to those already worn.

  2. 02

    emperor's new clothes

    Something obvious and embarrassing that is politely ignored or that goes unacknowledged.

  3. 03

    Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes

    One's best or most presentable clothes.

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