Apedia

Lap Sth Lapped Track Verb Læp  Word Origin

Front lap
Back lap
noun, verb
BrE /læp/
NAmE /læp/
noun
 word origin
 example bank
[countable]
1 [usually singular] the top part of your legs that forms a flat surface when you are sitting down

There's only one seat so you'll have to sit on my lap.
She sat with her hands in her lap.
2 one journey from the beginning to the end of a track used for running, etc

the fastest lap on record
She has completed six laps.
He was overtaken on the final lap.
to do a lap of honour (= go around the track again to celebrate winning)
(NAmE) to do a victory lap
3 a section of a journey, or of a piece of work, etc

They're off on the first lap of their round-the-world tour.
We've nearly finished. We're on the last lap.

drop/dump sth in sb's ˈlap (informal) to make sth the responsibility of another person
They dropped the problem firmly back in my lap.
sth drops/falls into sb's lap
somebody has the opportunity to do sth pleasant without having made any effort
My dream job just fell into my lap.
in the lap of the ˈgods
if the result of sth is in the lap of the gods, you do not know what will happen because it depends on luck or things you cannot control
in the lap of ˈluxury
in easy, comfortable conditions, and enjoying the advantages of being rich
We spent two weeks in the hotel living in the lap of luxury.
verb
 verb forms
 word origin
 example bank
(-pp-)
1 [intransitive] (of water) to touch sth gently and regularly, often making a soft sound

The waves lapped around our feet.
the sound of water lapping against the boat
2 [transitive] ~ sth (of animals) to drink sth with quick movements of the tongue
3 [transitive] ~ sb (in a race) to pass another runner on a track who is one or more laps behind you

She had already lapped most of the other runners.

ˌlap sthˈup
1 (informal) to accept or receive sth with great enjoyment, without thinking about whether it is good, true or sincere

It's a terrible movie but audiences everywhere are lapping it up.
She simply lapped up all the compliments.
2 to drink all of sth with great enjoyment

The calf lapped up the bucket of milk.

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Barbican ˈbɑ:bɪkən n fortification walled outwork tower protect

Previous card: Sth rammed hit vehicle ship force make ram

Up to card list: A Song of Ice and Fire