Crossword Genius

Eagerly accept the French whelp (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lap up

'eagerly accept' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'the french whelp' is the wordplay.
'the french' becomes 'la'.
'whelp' becomes 'pup' ('pup' can be a synonym of 'whelp').
'la'+'pup'='LAP UP'

(Other definitions for lap up that I've seen before include "Delight" , "Drink (water) like a dog" , "motor race by some distance?" , "of future monarch?" , "Take in willingly (with the tongue?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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