licking
B2Informal (for 'defeat' meaning). Neutral (for literal meaning).
Definition
Meaning
The act of moving one's tongue over a surface.
A sound defeat, punishment, or beating; a thrashing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans a literal physical action to a strong metaphorical idiom for defeat. The literal use is common and neutral; the metaphorical 'defeat' use is informal and somewhat dated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are understood in both varieties. The idiom 'give/get a (good) licking' (meaning a thrashing or defeat) is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, the metaphorical use often implies a physical or competitive defeat that is thorough and perhaps humiliating.
Frequency
The literal sense is equally frequent. The 'defeat' sense is declining in formal usage but persists in informal/colloquial contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] gave [Object] a licking.[Subject] is licking [Object].[Subject] took a licking.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take a licking and keep on ticking”
- “give/get a (good/proper) licking”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically in very informal contexts (e.g., 'Our sales took a licking this quarter.').
Academic
Virtually unused except in specific fields like ethology (animal behaviour).
Everyday
Common for the literal action (e.g., licking an ice cream). The 'defeat' sense is used informally in sports/competition talk.
Technical
Used in linguistics/phonetics for tongue contact; in veterinary/animal science for grooming behaviour.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dog was licking its paw quite intently.
- He's licking the stamp to put on the envelope.
American English
- The kid is licking the melted ice cream off his hand.
- Our team is licking its wounds after that licking we took.
adverb
British English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
American English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- The licking flames threatened the nearby trees.
- He had a licking pace that no one could match.
American English
- She applied the licking solution to the adhesive strip.
- It was a licking-fast race to the finish.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat is licking its fur.
- I don't like licking envelopes.
- Stop licking your lips, the cake isn't ready yet.
- If you keep teasing that dog, you'll get a licking.
- Despite taking a severe licking in the press, the company's reputation survived.
- The boxer gave his opponent a thorough licking in the first round.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock (a 'ticker') that continues to work even after being hit—this is the 'take a licking and keep on ticking' idiom, linking 'licking' to punishment and resilience.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEFEAT IS PHYSICAL SUBJUGATION (being licked/beaten).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'give a licking' as 'дать лизание'. Use 'задать трёпку', 'разгромить'.
- The Russian verb 'лизать' is neutral; 'licking' in the defeat sense is idiomatically strong and informal.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'licking' (defeat) in formal writing.
- Confusing 'licking' (defeat) with 'kicking' (which can also mean a defeat but is more violent).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'licking' MOST likely to be used literally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its primary meaning is literal, but it is also a common informal idiom meaning a severe defeat or thrashing.
The literal action can be neutral or positive (e.g., licking an ice cream). The idiom 'take a licking and keep on ticking' is positive in portraying resilience, but the 'licking' itself is negative.
No, it's informal and idiomatic but not offensive. It is mild, somewhat old-fashioned slang.
They are synonyms in the 'defeat' sense, but 'a beating' can imply more physical violence. 'A licking' is often used for less physically violent contests (e.g., games, debates) and is slightly more humorous or euphemistic.
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