lick
verb (used with object)
to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often followed by up, off, from, etc.).
had been licking
-
past perfect progressiveof lick.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The fighters have allegedly sparred before and had been licking their chops to settle their score between the ropes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2023
According to Broadwell's dispatch in Foreign Policy, Flynn's unit had been "licking their wounds" after failed attempts at taking the village.
From Salon ● Jan. 20, 2011
Architects and engineers, who had been licking their chops at the thought of the juiciest contracts in generations, turned glum.
From Time Magazine Archive
But ever since DiSalle's big price freeze, Attorney General Howard McGrath had been licking his chops over all those potential lawsuits.
From Time Magazine Archive
Archie had been licking his fingers, one at a time, letting the echo of Jerry’s response linger in the air.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
