Crossword Genius

Drinks elixirs, without noting contents, and expires (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lapses

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'expires' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'drinks elixirs without noting contents' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'drinks' could be 'laps' (lapping is a kind of drinking) and 'laps' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'es' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lapses that I've seen before include "Oversights" , "Failures to maintain higher states" , "Falls in standards of behaviour" , "Slight errors caused by forgetfulness" , "declines" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app