Chúchuāng lǐ de dàngāo ràng xiǎoháizi kàn de chuíxiányùdī.
The cakes in the display window had the children staring and drooling.
Tips
history
Traced to Tang writer Liu Zongyuan's 《招海贾文》: 垂涎闪舌兮 — 'dangling saliva and flickering tongue.' The image is unambiguous: literal drooling, used figuratively for food AND for greedy desire more broadly.
usage
Works literally (delicious food) and figuratively (coveted property, positions, awards). Carries a hint of disapproval when applied to greed for things not one's own.
