licking

• Nom désignant une défaite écrasante dans une compétition ou un combat, ou l'action d'infliger une punition physique par des coups répétés.

A noun referring to a decisive defeat in a contest or struggle, or the act of administering physical punishment with repeated strikes.

1. A decisive defeatB2informal

   An unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest; a thorough beating in a competition.

   défaite cuisante

   • Our team took a real licking in the championship game.
   • The candidate suffered a licking in the election.
   • After that licking, they knew they had to train harder.

   Synonymesbeatingdrubbinghammeringpoundingroutthrashingtrouncingwalloping

2. A physical beatingB2informal

   The act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows.

   raclée

   • The bully gave the smaller boy a severe licking.
   • In the old days, a child might get a licking for misbehaving.
   • He threatened to give the dog a licking if it didn't stop barking.

   Synonymesbeatingdrubbingfloggingpoundingspankingthrashingtrouncingwallopingwhipping

• Verbe désignant l'action de passer la langue sur une surface, ou, dans un contexte informel, le fait de vaincre ou surmonter nettement quelqu'un.

A verb used to indicate the act of passing the tongue over a surface, or in informal contexts, to defeat or overcome someone decisively.

1. Pass tongue overA2formal

   To move the tongue across a surface, typically to taste, clean, or moisten something.

   passer la langue sur

   • The cat licked its paw clean.
   • He licked the ice cream cone slowly.
   • She licked the stamp before sticking it on the envelope.

   Synonymeslaptongue

2. Defeat or overcomeB2informal

   To defeat someone or something decisively in a competition or conflict.

   Battre à plate couture

   • Our team licked the opposition in the final match.
   • He managed to lick his addiction to smoking.
   • The company licked its competitors with a better product.

   Synonymesbeatclobberconquerdefeatdrubhammerroutthrashtrouncevanquish

3. Pass over lightlyC1formal

   To move lightly and quickly over a surface, like flames or waves.

   lécher (en passant)

   • Flames licked the walls of the burning house.
   • Waves licked the shore gently.
   • The breeze licked her face as she stood on the cliff.

   Synonymesbrushflickerlapplaytouchwash