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."
separable
lap up
B1 neutral separable transitive
To drink by using the tongue (of animals), or figuratively, to accept and enjoy something with great enthusiasm and without question.
In plain English
To enjoy or accept something with great pleasure and eagerness — sometimes too easily.
What does "lap up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For an animal to drink by lapping liquid up with its tongue — the figurative sense extends this to eagerly absorbing something.
Actually means
To enjoy or accept something with great pleasure and eagerness — sometimes too easily.
Usage tip
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'.
Words that pair with "lap up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
praise attention flattery compliments applause milk
How to conjugate "lap up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "lap up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lap up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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