# lick the pants off

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lick-the-pants-off
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- Our team licked the pants off them in the final game.
- Despite being the underdogs, our local players licked the pants off the visiting team during the championship match.
- The seasoned veteran licked the pants off his younger opponent, proving that experience often triumphs over raw energy in high-stakes competition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.