lick (one's) chops
To anticipate delightedly

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

lick chops
lick (your) chops
to be eager to do something that you think will be satisfying or pleasant.
Their team was so much better than ours that when they played us, they were just licking their chops.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of lick your chops (= to lick your lips when thinking of something good to eat)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lick one's chops
to show one's eagerness to do something or eat something (by licking one's lips)
The salesman began to lick his chops when he saw the potential customers at the business convention.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

lick one's chops
v. phr., informal To think about something pleasant; enjoy the thought of something.
John is licking his chops about the steak dinner tonight.
Tom is licking his chops about the lifeguard job he will have at the beach next summer.
Our team is licking its chops because we beat the champions last night. (From the fact that some animals lick their mouths when they expect to be fed or when they see food, and after eating.)
Compare: LOOK FORWARD TO, MAKE ONE'S MOUTH WATER.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲