lap

Universal Words noun, verb noun [C] 1 [usuallysing.] 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) * (AmE) to do a victory lap 3 a section of a journey or trip: They're off on the first lap of their round-the-world tour. IDIOMS drop / dump sth in sb's lap (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 gods 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 luxury 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 (-pp-) 1 [V] (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 [VN] (of animals) to drink sth with quick movements of the tongue 3 [VN] (in a race) to pass another competitor on a track who is one or more laps behind you: She had already lapped most of the other runners. PHRASALVERBS lap sth<->up 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.