sip
verb (used with object)
to drink (a liquid) a little at a time; take small tastes of.
had been sipping
-
past perfect progressiveof sip.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.
Ambassador Mellon, eschewing champagne, had been sipping all through dinner a rare and red French vintage.
From Time Magazine Archive
Gertrude had been sipping admiration and was not disposed to play a passive part in the talk.
From The New Machiavelli by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The big man, who had been sipping his wine, suddenly grew apoplectic and sat staring at him.
From Jimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a Pennant by Hugh S. Fullerton
To Anne in particular things seemed fearfully flat, stale, and unprofitable after the goblet of excitement she had been sipping for weeks.
From Anne of Green Gables by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
The Lion and the Gadfly Once a Lion was sleeping in his den at the foot of a great mountain when a Gadfly that had been sipping the blood from his mouth bit him severely.
From The Talking Beasts by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
