take a licking and keep on ticking
To be tough; to have endurance; to have the capacity to absorb stress or damage, but still be able to function.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“This old car can take a licking and keep on ticking.”
“Our old washing machine takes a licking and keeps on ticking every day.”
“You take a licking and keep on ticking even when work gets stressful.”
“Even after the heavy storm damaged the roof, the sturdy house managed to take a licking and keep on ticking.”
“My smartphone fell down the stairs and the screen cracked, but it can take a licking and keep on ticking.”
“The boxer took several hard hits during the final round, yet he continues to take a licking and keep on ticking.”
“Despite the relentless economic pressures and repeated setbacks, the small business proved it could take a licking and keep on ticking through sheer persistence.”
Derived from the advertising slogan for Timex wristwatches. The phrase was introduced in the 1950s to emphasize the durability of the brand’s products during various televised demonstrations of mechanical resilience.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
clock is ticking
Time is running out; a deadline is approaching.
- 03
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 04
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 05
earn one's keep
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
- 06
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 07
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 08
gift that keeps on giving
Something with continuous (typically positive) consequences.
Last updated August 10, 2026