Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sound defeat or loss: A clear and decisive failure in a competition, contest, or struggle.
   • The act of beating or thrashing: The act of inflicting physical punishment or a severe beating on someone.

Usage

• As a noun (defeat):
  • The word "licking" is an informal term for a significant defeat. It is often used in contexts involving sports, battles, or competitive situations.
  • Example: The team took a real licking in the championship game, losing by thirty points.
• As a noun (beating):
  • This meaning refers to a physical beating, often as a form of punishment. This usage is also informal.
  • Example: In the old story, the bully threatened to give the smaller boy a good licking.

Examples

• Noun (defeat):
  • After a series of victories, their convincing licking in the final match was a surprise.
  • The company's new product got a licking from its established competitors.
• Noun (beating):
  • The pirate captain promised a licking to any crew member who disobeyed orders.
  • He got a licking from his father for breaking the window.

Advanced Usage

• "to give (someone) a licking": To defeat someone soundly or to beat them physically.
  • The veteran chess player gave the newcomer a licking.
• "to take a licking": To suffer a severe defeat or a physical beating.
  • The old car has taken a licking over the years, but it still runs.
• "to get a licking": To receive a beating or to be defeated.
  • Our team got a licking, but we'll train harder for the next game.

Variants and Related Words

• Lick (verb): To pass the tongue over something. ()
• Lick (noun, informal): A small amount or a quick attempt. () This is a different, idiomatic use of the base word.
• Thrashing (noun): A synonym for a severe beating or a decisive defeat.

Synonyms

• Defeat: The fact of being defeated in a contest.
• Drubbing: A decisive defeat.
• Thrashing: A heavy defeat or a beating.
• Beating: A punishment or assault involving hitting repeatedly.

Related Phrases

• "A lick and a promise": (Idiom) A hurried or careless performance of a task.
  • I didn't have time to clean thoroughly, so I just gave the room a lick and a promise.
  • Note: This idiom uses the base word "lick" and is related to the verb meaning, not directly to "licking" as a defeat.

Idioms

• "Take a licking but keep on ticking": (Informal) To endure hardship, damage, or defeat and continue to function. This phrase was popularized by an old advertisement for Timex watches.
  • Our small business has taken a licking during the recession, but we keep on ticking.

Noun

1. the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows
2. an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
   • it was a narrow defeat
   • the army's only defeat
   • they suffered a convincing licking