liếm láp
Definition
- Verb:
- To lick repeatedly or thoroughly: The primary meaning refers to the action of using the tongue to touch something multiple times, often to clean, taste, or consume the last remnants.
- To scavenge or pick at (figurative): Used figuratively to describe the act of trying to obtain small, often insignificant benefits or leftovers in a persistent, sometimes undignified manner.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con mèo liếm láp bát sữa cho sạch. (The cat licked the milk bowl clean.)
- Đứa trẻ liếm láp que kem một cách thích thú. (The child licked the ice cream stick with delight.)
- Hắn ta chỉ biết liếm láp những đồng tiền lẻ từ công việc tồi tàn đó. (He only knows how to scavenge for small change from that miserable job.)
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Often implies a greedy, petty, or undignified effort to gain small advantages or consume leftovers.
- Không nên liếm láp những lợi ích vụn vặt mà đánh mất danh dự. (One should not scavenge for petty benefits and lose one's honor.)
Variants and Related Words
- Liếm (verb): To lick. This is the core, single-action verb from which 'liếm láp' is derived, emphasizing repetition or thoroughness.
- Con chó liếm tay chủ. (The dog licked its owner's hand.)
Synonyms
- Nếm (verb): To taste (but not exactly the same; 'liếm láp' involves the tongue, while 'nếm' focuses on the sense of taste).
- Tranh thủ (verb): To take advantage of (an opportunity). This is a synonym primarily for the figurative meaning of seeking benefit.
- Vơ vét (verb): To grab, to scoop up (often greedily). This is a stronger synonym for the figurative meaning.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
Related Idioms
- Liếm láp đầu ngón tay: Literally "to lick one's fingertips," meaning to find something very delicious or satisfying.
- Món ăn ngon đến mức ai cũng muốn liếm láp đầu ngón tay. (The dish was so delicious everyone wanted to lick their fingers.)
- Liếm láp bát đĩa: Literally "to lick the plates/dishes," emphasizing consuming every last bit, often used figuratively for taking the last scraps of something.
- Công ty phá sản, các chủ nợ nhỏ chỉ còn biết liếm láp bát đĩa. (The company went bankrupt, and the small creditors could only scavenge for the leftovers.)