be covetous of sth with a three-foot saliva;cannot hide one’s greed; cast a covetous(/greedy)eye at (/on) (sth); covet for; gape after (/for);hanker after sth; lick one’s chops; lick (/smack)one’s lips; one’s mouth waters with envy; spittle three feet long—drool with envy
❍ 许多公司对这里的石油早已～。Many firms have long cast a covetous eye on the oil here.
垂涎三尺chuí xián sān chǐ
涎：口水。口水挂下来有三尺长。比喻嘴馋想吃东西，也形容看见他人的物品眼红、妄图占有的丑态。drool with envy, lick one’s chops, covet for, lick one’s lips, gape after, cast greedy eyes at