Tongue flicks, tasting the air.

Meaning: The snake is using its tongue to taste the air, which helps it sense its surroundings.

Choice of Words: Tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, speaking, and swallowing. Flicks is a verb describing a quick, sudden movement. Tasting is the process of experiencing the flavor of something.

Alternative Expressions

The snake's tongue flicks in and out, tasting the air.

Meaning: This means that the snake is using its tongue to taste the air around it. Snakes do this to find food, mates, and danger.

Choice of Words: Snake is a noun that refers to a reptile with no legs and a long, thin body. Tongue is a noun that refers to the long, muscular organ in the mouth that is used for tasting and speaking. Flicks is a verb that means to move quickly back and forth. Tasting is a verb that means to experience the flavor of something. Air is a noun that refers to the invisible gas that surrounds the Earth. When you put all these words together, the sentence describes the snake's tongue moving quickly back and forth as it tastes the air.

The snake's tongue darts out, sampling the air.

Meaning: This means that the snake is using its tongue to taste the air around it. Snakes do this to find food, mates, and danger.

Choice of Words: Tongue is a noun that refers to the long, muscular organ in the mouth that is used for tasting and speaking. Darts is a verb that means to move quickly and suddenly. Sampling is a verb that means to take a small amount of something in order to test its flavor or quality. Air is a noun that refers to the invisible gas that surrounds the Earth. When you put all these words together, the sentence describes the snake's tongue moving quickly and suddenly as it tastes the air.

The snake's tongue probes the air, seeking sustenance.

Meaning: This means that the snake is using its tongue to taste the air around it in order to find food.

Choice of Words: Tongue is a noun that refers to the long, muscular organ in the mouth that is used for tasting and speaking. Probes is a verb that means to examine or investigate something carefully. Air is a noun that refers to the invisible gas that surrounds the Earth. Seeking is a verb that means to try to find or obtain something. Sustenance is a noun that refers to food or nourishment. When you put all these words together, the sentence describes the snake's tongue carefully examining the air as it searches for food.

Related Expressions