lick

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to move your tongue over the surface of sth in order to eat it, make it wet or clean it: [VN] He licked his fingers. * I'm tired of licking envelopes. * The cat sat licking its paws. * [VN-ADJ] She licked the spoon clean. 2 [VN+adv./prep.] to eat or drink sth by licking it: The cat licked up the milk. * She licked the honey off the spoon. 3 (of flames) to touch sth lightly: [VN] Flames were soon licking the curtains. * [V] The flames were now licking at their feet. 4 [VN] (informal) to easily defeat sb or deal with sth: We thought we had them licked. * It was a tricky problem but I think we've licked it. IDIOMS lick sb's boots (also !!!, slang lick sb's arse) (disapproving) to show too much respect for sb in authority because you want to please them lick your wounds to spend time trying to get your strength or confidence back after a defeat or disappointment: Leeds are still licking their wounds after their humiliating defeat by Grimsby. moreatLIP, SHAPEn. noun 1 [C] an act of licking sth with the tongue: Can I have a lick of your ice cream? 2 [sing.] a ~ of paint (informal) a small amount of paint, used to make a place look better: What this room needs is a lick of paint. 3 [C] (informal) a short piece of music which is part of a song and is played on a guitar: a guitar / blues lick IDIOMS at a (fair) lick (informal) fast; at a high speed