licking one's lips
Moistening mouth edges
Licking one's lips is passing the tongue over the lips, typically to moisten them or in anticipation of something desirable.
The gesture signals eagerness or appetite, literal or figurative: The investors were licking their lips at the prospect of a buyout.
It can also betray nervousness or discomfort.
- mouthOral opening
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- tasteFlavor perception ability
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
nervous habit · body language · tongue · anticipation · temptation · seduction · come hither · desire · dehydration · satisfaction · thirst · smack · craving · comfort food · nonverbal communication · self-soothing · salivation · drool
anticipatory appetite/desire
licking one's lipsgagging
Reflex throat constriction
retching · turning up one's nose · grimacing · spitting out · recoiling