little pitchers have big ears

Etymology
An allusion to the ear-shaped handles common on pitchers used for serving liquids.

Proverb

 * 1) Small children often overhear more of what is said than adults realize or desire.

Usage notes

 * Often used when adults are conversing in the presence of small children, as a coded reminder to be careful about what one says.

Translations

 * Danish: små gryder har også ører
 * Finnish: pienilläkin padoilla on korvat
 * Spanish: hay orejas chiquitas
 * Swedish: små grytor har också öron
 * Welsh: mae gan foch bach glustiau (mawr), mae clustiau (mawr) gan foch bach