Chúchuāng lǐ de dàngāo ràng xiǎo háizi 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.
