to lick

Examples

• All

• "Marciano or Dempsey could have licked the whole bunch on the same night," he'd say.

  Fiction book (1990)

• We'll lick the whole world!

  Scarface (1932)

• As investors, we will lick our wounds and move on to the next opportunity.

  Blog text (2)

• We can't fight alone, but we can lick 'em together.

  The Great Dictator (1940)

• I hope we will lick the Republicans this fall and send Abe Lincoln back to splitting rails in Illinois!

  Tennessee Johnson (1942)

• Former Ranger Eddie Olczyk says, "Teams should be licking their chops to get this guy in their lineup."

  Blog text (13)

• We trained hard, and finally, we managed to lick our toughest rivals in the tournament.

• The team worked together and showed they could lick any opponent if they stay focused.

• After months of preparation, the coach was confident they could lick their competition this season.

Synonyms

W

to whip

vsto lick

36 5.5

To beat someone easily by a large amount

is an informal term for the same decisive defeat

C

to cream

vsto lick

• Informal

20 7.2

To beat an opponent by a large amount

is an informal way to name that thorough victory

B

to bat

vsto lick

20 7.2

To defeat someone completely in a game or contest

is the informal term used for that conclusive defeat

C

to clobber

vsto lick

• Informal

8 7.7

To beat someone completely in a game or fight

is a more casual label for that same strong defeat

W

to wipe the floor with

vsto lick

• Informal

8 7.5

To beat someone completely in a game or contest

is a more colloquial phrase for that decisive beating

T

to thrash

vsto lick

6 4.5

Beat someone completely in a game or contest

is a casual way to describe that complete defeat

B

to beat someone's ass

vsto lick

• Offensive

1 9.9

To defeat someone completely, often physically or in a game, used in rude speech

is informal too but less vulgar in everyday speech

D

to drub

vsto lick

1 8.8

To beat someone badly in a game or fight

is the informal expression for that same decisive beating

F

to fuck someone upside down

vsto lick

• Offensive

9.9

Beat someone completely in a game or contest

is informal language that is rude rather than neutral

L

to lick the pants off

vsto lick

• Informal

9.6

To beat someone completely or praise them too much

only means a decisive defeat in casual use, not flattery

Antonyms

L

to lose

∞ 1.0

Fail to win a game or contest

Idioms

L

lick of

• Informal

3 6.8

A very small amount of something, often a taste like honey

L

to lick one's wounds

• Informal

2 7.0

To rest and feel better after a loss or disappointment

L

to lick someone's ass

• Offensive

9.9

To praise someone too much to get their favor in a rude way

L

to lick someone's boot

• Offensive

8.9

Praise or act very friendly toward a boss to get something for yourself

L

to lick the CEO's balls

• Offensive

9.9

To praise and obey a powerful person to get their support

L

to lick the pants off

• Informal

9.6

To beat someone completely or praise them too much

L

lick and a promise

• UK

9.9

A quick, not complete job done hastily and meant to be finished properly later

Phrasal Verbs

L

to lick into shape

• UK

1 7.1

Make something better by working on it until it is ready

L

to lick out the bowl

8.2

To eat the last food in a bowl with your tongue

L

to lick out

8.4

Use your tongue to remove food or liquid from inside a container

T

to take a good lick

• Informal

8.7

To put your tongue on food like ice cream to taste it a lot

Compounds

S

salt lick

1 6.5

A place where animals go to lick salt to get minerals

How Decisive

rout

12 7.2

to crush

386 4.7

to lick

• Informal

39 8.2

to trounce

14 7.5

to beat

∞ 1.4

edge

310 3.8

Surface Forms

Etymology