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lick
[lik]
verb (used with object)
to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often followed by up, off, from, etc.).
to lick a postage stamp; to lick an ice-cream cone.
to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue.
to lick a spoon clean.
(of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over.
The flame licked the dry timber.
Informal.
to hit or beat, especially as a punishment; thrash; whip.
to overcome or defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest.
to outdo or surpass.
verb (used without object)
to move quickly or lightly.
noun
a stroke of the tongue over something.
as much as can be taken up by one stroke of the tongue.
Informal.
a blow.
a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.
a quick pace or clip; speed.
a small amount.
I haven't done a lick of work all week.
Usually licks. a critical or complaining remark.
Jazz Slang.Usually licks. a musical phrase, as by a soloist in improvising.
verb phrase
to lap up; devour greedily.
lick
/ ɪ /
verb
(tr) to pass the tongue over, esp in order to taste or consume
to flicker or move lightly over or round (something)
the flames licked around the door
informal(tr)
to defeat or vanquish
to flog or thrash
to be or do much better than
to put into a satisfactory condition: from the former belief that bear cubs were born formless and had to be licked into shape by their mother
to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish
to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources
See boot 1
noun
an instance of passing the tongue over something
a small amount
a lick of paint
Also called: salt lick.a block of compressed salt or chemical matter provided for domestic animals to lick for medicinal and nutritional purposes
a place to which animals go to lick exposed natural deposits of salt
informala hit; blow
slanga short musical phrase, usually on one instrument
informalspeed; rate of movement
he was going at quite a lick when he hit it
something hastily done, esp a hurried wash
Other Word Forms
- licker noun
- ˈ noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of lick1
Word History and Origins
Origin of lick1
Idioms and Phrases
lick into shape, to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work, etc..
They needed another rehearsal to lick the production into shape.
lick one's chops. chop.
lick ass, kiss.
lick and a promise, a hasty and perfunctory performance in doing something.
I didn't have time to clean thoroughly, so I gave the room a lick and a promise.
last licks, a final turn or opportunity.
We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended.
lick the dust. dust.
lick one's wounds. wound.
Example Sentences
The Robins licked their wounds and stormed their way to last season's Super League Grand Final.
The good bacteria seem to be coming from the end of the mother's digestive system, an idea known in the field as the "first lick".
“Then there’s a particular part of the end. Yes, the war cry is delightful to sing,” she says, referring to the heroic vocal lick that brings down the curtain on Part 1 of the movie.
As for Carrie’s drama, it only takes a few seconds of watching Aidan licking his palm before tickling his tackle to make a person appreciate the classy way Big gave Carrie her freedom.
The Texas bill purports to ban such "non-human behaviors" as "using a litter box," "barking, meowing, hissing" and "licking oneself."
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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