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lap up

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To enjoy or accept something with great pleasure and eagerness — sometimes too easily.

Literal meaning: For an animal to drink by lapping liquid up with its tongue — the figurative sense extends this to eagerly absorbing something.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

(Of an animal) To drink liquid by scooping it up with the tongue.

"The cat crouched by the bowl and lapped up the milk contentedly."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To accept or enjoy praise, attention, or flattery with great and uncritical enthusiasm.

"The actor lapped up every compliment the interviewer offered."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

To absorb or consume information, entertainment, or experience with great enthusiasm.

"The children lapped up every story she told them."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The figurative sense is very common. Often implies that the person is enjoying praise, flattery, or attention a little too uncritically. The tone is slightly amused or mildly critical of the person doing the 'lapping up'.

Commonly used with

praise attention flattery compliments applause milk

Forms

Base
lap up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
laps up
he/she/it
Past simple
laped up
yesterday
Past participle
laped up
have + pp
-ing form
laping up
continuous

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