Lick your lips Meaning in English
expression
ˈɫɪk/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈɫɪps
LIK-yor-LIPS or LIK-yer-LIPS
lˈɪk/ /jˈɔː/ /lˈɪps
LIK-YAW-LIPS
Definition
To move your tongue over your lips, often because your mouth is dry, you are hungry, or you are excited or nervous. Sometimes used to show you are eager for something.
Usage & Nuances
This expression can be both literal and figurative. Common for describing someone looking forward to food or anticipating something exciting. Sometimes used humorously. Not usually formal.
Spanish: relamerse los labiosPortuguese (BR): lamber os lábiosPortuguese (PT): lamber os lábiosChinese (Simplified): 舔嘴唇Chinese (Traditional): 舔嘴脣Hindi: होंठ चाटनाArabic: يَلْعَق شَفَتَيْهِBengali: ঠোঁট চাটাRussian: облизывать губыJapanese: 唇をなめるVietnamese: liếm môiKorean: 입술을 핥다Turkish: dudaklarını yalamakUrdu: ہونٹ چاٹناIndonesian: menjilat bibir
Example Sentences
The boy licked his lips before eating the cake.
basic
She always licks her lips when she is nervous.
basic
His mouth was dry, so he licked his lips.
basic
Everyone at the table licked their lips when the pizza arrived.
natural
He looked at the dessert menu and licked his lips in anticipation.
natural
She walked past the bakery, licking her lips at the smell of fresh bread.
natural