lap up

lap up

1. To ingest something, usually a liquid, by licking. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lap" and "up." Those kittens must have been hungry—they've already lapped up all the milk in the saucer.

2. By extension, to accept something readily or excitedly. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lap" and "up." I'm worried about how she just laps up praise from her teachers, as if her self-worth depends on it.

See also: lap, up

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

lap something up

 

1. Lit. [for an animal] to lick something up. The dog lapped the ice cream up off the floor. The dog lapped up the ice cream.

2. Fig. [for someone] to accept or believe something with enthusiasm. Of course, they believed it. They just lapped it up. They lapped up the lies without questioning anything.

See also: lap, up

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

lap up

Take in or receive very eagerly, as in She loves to travel-she just laps it up, or The agency is lapping up whatever information their spies send in. This expression alludes to an animal drinking greedily. [Late 1800s]

See also: lap, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

lap up

v.

1. To eat or drink something completely by licking: The kitten lapped up the milk in the saucer. The cat lapped the water up.

2. To receive something eagerly or greedily: The author lapped up the audience's praise. The runner lapped the medals up at the banquet.

See also: lap, up

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.