lick
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to move your tongue across the surface of something.
v.to pass the tongue over a surface, typically to taste, clean, or moisten.
Simple“The dog tried to lick my hand when I sat down on the sofa.”
In context“The child continued to lick the ice cream cone until it was entirely gone, oblivious to the sticky residue on his chin.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to beat someone in a fight or a competition.
v.to defeat an opponent decisively or to overcome a difficult problem.
Simple“Our team finally managed to lick the champions in the final game.”
In context“The company struggled for years, but they finally licked their production problems by investing in new technology.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.the action of moving the tongue over something.
n.an act or instance of passing the tongue over a surface.
Simple“With one quick lick, the cat cleaned the milk off its whiskers.”
In context“The cow gave the salt block a long lick before returning to the grassy patch near the fence.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a short, catchy series of notes in a song, especially in jazz or rock.
n.a short, recognisable melodic phrase or motif, particularly in improvised genres like jazz, blues, or rock.
Simple“The guitarist played a famous blues lick that everyone in the crowd recognised.”
In context“He spent the afternoon practicing a complex jazz lick he had heard on an old Miles Davis recording.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a very small amount of something, like paint or work.
n.a small, superficial amount or application of something.
Simple“The old fence looks much better after a lick of white paint.”
In context“The project was nearly finished; it just needed a lick of polish before the final presentation.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
n.a fast speed.
n.a considerable rate of speed; almost exclusively used with adjectives like 'fair' or 'good'.
Simple“The car went past us at a fair lick on the motorway.”
In context“We were travelling at a good lick when the tyre suddenly blew out, forcing us to pull over immediately.”
- 07 C2 Proficiency
n.a way to get money quickly, often by doing something illegal.
n.an opportunity or instance of obtaining money quickly, typically through a heist, drug deal, or other illicit activity.
Simple“They were looking to hit a lick so they could pay their rent.”
In context“The detectives monitored the group, suspecting they were planning to hit a lick at the local warehouse over the weekend.”