ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lick the pants off

idiom
Meaning

To thoroughly and decisively defeat someone, either in a physical fight or, figuratively, in a competition.


Examples
SIMPLE

Our team licked the pants off them in the final game.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite being the underdogs, our local players licked the pants off the visiting team during the championship match.

COMPLEX

The seasoned veteran licked the pants off his younger opponent, proving that experience often triumphs over raw energy in high-stakes competition.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ants in one's pants

    The condition of being agitated and constantly fidgeting.

  2. 02

    beat the pants off

    To thoroughly and decisively defeat someone, either in a physical fight or, figuratively, in a competition.

  3. 03

    caught with one's pants down

    Caught off guard, unprepared, or in an embarrassing situation.

  4. 04

    fly by the seat of one's pants

    To pilot an aircraft without the aid of instruments and without a flight plan, using only instinct, visual observation, and practical judgment.

  5. 05

    get into someone's pants

    To have sex with someone, especially for the first time.

  6. 06

    hit a lick

    To earn a large sum of money in a short amount of time, usually illegally.

  7. 07

    keep one's pants on

    To stay calm.

  8. 08

    lick and a promise

    A quick, not-very-thorough wash.

Last updated April 17, 2026