lick one's chops

lick one's chops
lick one's chops
Fig. to show one's eagerness to do something, especially to eat something. •

We could tell from the way the boys were licking their chops that they really wanted a turn at riding the motorcycle.

Fred started licking his chops when he smelled the turkey roasting in the oven.

* * *
{v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. * /John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight./ * /Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ * /Our team is licking its chops because we beat the champions last night./ (From the fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or when they see food, and after eating.) Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE ONE'S MOUTH WATER.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • lick one's chops — {v. phr.}, {informal} To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. * /John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight./ * /Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer./ *… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • lick one's chops — phrasal : to anticipate with relish a banker licks his chops over the increase in the earnings on each dollar George Shea * * * lick one s chops To wait eagerly or greedily • • • Main Entry: ↑chop …   Useful english dictionary

  • lick\ one's\ chops — v. phr. informal To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something. John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight. Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer. Our team is… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lick one's chops — verb a) To use ones tongue to remove moistness from the sides of ones mouth, as when salivating or at the conclusion of a meal. Pat presently came galloping up the orchard, carrying in his mouth a big field mouse, which, sitting down before us,… …   Wiktionary

  • lick one's chops — phrasal to feel or show eager anticipation …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • lick one's lips — To look forward, or (archaic) to recall, with pleasure • • • Main Entry: ↑lick * * * I lick one s lips (or chops) look forward to something with eager anticipation II lick (or smack) one s lips look forward to something with relish; show one s… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lick — [lik] vt. [ME licken < OE liccian, akin to Ger lecken < IE base * leig̑h , to lick > Gr leichein, L ligurrire, to lick, lingere, to lick up] 1. to pass the tongue over [to lick one s lips] 2. to bring into a certain condition by passing… …   English World dictionary

  • lick — /lɪk / (say lik) verb (t) 1. (sometimes followed by off, from, etc.) to pass the tongue over the surface of. 2. to affect by strokes of the tongue: to lick the plate clean. 3. to pass or play lightly over, as flames do. 4. Colloquial to overcome… …  

  • lick — licker, n. /lik/, v.t. 1. to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often fol. by up, off, from, etc.): to lick a postage stamp; to lick an ice cream cone. 2. to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue:… …   Universalium

  • chops — /tʃɒps/ (say chops) Colloquial –plural noun 1. the jaw. 2. Jazz a. → embouchure (def. 3b). b. musical ability and technical prowess. –phrase 3. bust someone s chops, to nag, criticise or reprimand someone. 4. in the chops, in th …  

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