lust

flame with (an emotion)

Of the eyes, to seem to convey a particular feeling or emotion with intensity. Callie's eyes flamed with anger when I accused her of cheating on the test. Of course John's interested in you—his eyes are practically flaming with desire every time he looks at you. Mara's eyes flamed with hurt when she overheard the other girls talking about her.

See also: flame

lust after (someone or something)

1. To have a strong sexual desire for someone. Sarah's been lusting after our waiter all night, so I wrote her number on a napkin and told him to call her when he finishes work.

2. To have an intense craving or obsessive desire for something. After two years of weight training and cardio, I've finally got the muscular body I've been lusting after. If you lust after riches, you will become a servant to your own greed. A good advertising agency doesn't cater to what customers lust after—it decides what that is.

See also: after, lust

lust for (someone or something)

1. To have a strong sexual desire for someone. Sarah's been lusting for our waiter all night, so I wrote her number on a napkin and told him to call her when he finishes work.

2. To have an intense craving or obsessive desire for something. After two years of weight training and cardio, I've finally got the muscular body I've been lusting for. If you lust for riches, you will become a servant to your own greed. A good advertising agency doesn't cater to what customers lust for—it decides what that is.

See also: for, lust

lust for life

Intense eagerness to experience all that life has to offer. I don't mind growing old, but I sometimes miss that boundless lust for life I had when I was younger. My 80-year-old grandfather has a lust for life that continues to amaze us all!

See also: for, life, lust

lust for power

Intense, insatiable desire to attain power and control. My brother's lust for power in our company has created some deep and bitter divisions between him and the rest of the family.

See also: for, lust, power

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

flame with anger

 and flame with resentment; flame with lust; flame with vengeance

Fig. [for someone's eyes] to "blaze" or seem to communicate a particular quality or excitement, usually a negative feeling. His eyes flamed with resentment when he heard Sally's good news. Her eyes flamed with hatred.

See also: anger, flame

lust after someone

 and lust for someone

to desire someone sexually. You could see that Sam was lusting after Sally. Roger claims that he does not lust for anyone.

See also: after, lust

lust for something

Fig. to desire something. He says he lusts for a nice cold can of beer. Mary lusts for rich and fattening ice cream.

See also: for, lust

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

lust after

v.

1. To desire someone sexually: My college roommate lusts after the resident assistant.

2. To have an overwhelming desire or craving for something: I lust after chocolate, and I'm always snacking on fudge.

See also: after, lust

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.