1lick 
/ˈlɪk/ verb
licks; licked; lick·ing /ˈlɪk/ verb 1 : to pass the tongue over (a surface, an object, etc.) [+ obj] ▪ He licked the stamp before putting it on the envelope. ▪ The dog licked my cheek. = The dog licked me on the cheek. [no obj] ▪ The dog licked at the plate. 2 [+ obj] : to take (something) into your mouth with your tongue
▪ She licked the sauce off her finger. ▪ The cat licked the milk off/from her paws. 3 : to lightly touch or go over (a surface) [+ obj] ▪ Flames were already licking the ceiling. [no obj] ▪ Flames were already licking at/against the ceiling. 4 [+ obj] informal a : to defeat (someone) in a fight or contest
▪ He's pretty big, but I think I can lick him.
b : to solve (a problem)
▪ Engineers think they have licked the problem with the rocket engine.
▪ She licked the sauce off her finger. ▪ The cat licked the milk off/from her paws.
▪ He's pretty big, but I think I can lick him.
b : to solve (a problem)
▪ Engineers think they have licked the problem with the rocket engine.
lick someone's boots
informal + disapproving : to treat someone powerful with too much respect in order to get approval
▪ He's just the assistant to the manager, there's no need to lick his boots.
▪ He's just the assistant to the manager, there's no need to lick his boots.
lick your lips 1 : to pass your tongue over your lips
▪ She licked her lips while she waited for the food to be served. 2 or US lick your chops : to feel or show excitement because something good is expected to happen
▪ The players knew they would win and were licking their chops as they waited for the game to start.
▪ She licked her lips while she waited for the food to be served.
▪ The players knew they would win and were licking their chops as they waited for the game to start.
lick your wounds
: to recover from defeat or disappointment
▪ He went home to lick his wounds after losing the election.
▪ He went home to lick his wounds after losing the election.
