Crossword Genius

Little dog holds a little back to drink (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lap up

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

'drink' is the definition.
(lapping up is a kind of drinking)

'little dog holds a little back' is the wordplay.
'little dog' becomes 'pup'.
'holds' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'little' becomes 'l' (this could be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pup'+'a'+'l'='pupal'
'pupal' reversed gives 'LAP UP'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lap up that I've seen before include "Assimilate with relish" , "Scoop" , "Relish (with the tongue?)" , "Delight" , "Drink (water) like a dog" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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