be licking your lips
be licking (one's) lips
To be eager and/or show signs of excitement before or during something that one enjoys or that is or will be beneficial to one. A reference to literally licking one's lips in anticipation of eating something delicious. All of the scouts are really licking their lips to get Jones on their roster. You should have seen John at the car show—he was practically licking his lips.
See also: licking, lip
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be licking your lips
If someone is looking forward eagerly to a future event, you can say that they are licking their lips. Peter says the Government may collapse. You can almost see him licking his lips. Billy is licking his lips about putting me through his training sessions. Note: You can also say that someone is licking their chops. After hearing the president's plan for economic recovery, they were licking their chops.
See also: licking, lip
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- (one) could use (something)
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- cooking for one
- 1FTR