ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lap up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford Informal

phr. v.. to eagerly accept or absorb something, like a dog drinking water.

phr. v.. to absorb or accept something enthusiastically; often used metaphorically to describe taking in information or enjoying something.


SIMPLE

The dog lapped up the water from the bowl.

CONTEXTUAL

The students lapped up the teacher's engaging lecture.

COMPLEX

The audience lapped up the actor's charismatic performance, leaving the theatre in a state of euphoria.

Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
lap + up + object
Usage

typically followed by a noun indicating what is being absorbed or accepted.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'take in' (more general) and 'devour' (more intense); the phrase originates from the literal action of dogs lapping water.

Pitfall

The students lapped the lecture.The students lapped up the lecture.the particle 'up' is required; 'lap' alone means something different (to move in a circular motion).

© 2026 English Reference