Collocations for "lick"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "lick" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
lick
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- the [cat, dog] licked her [lips, chops]
- the [dog] licked [itself, my face, its coat, its wound, his owner]
- the [dog] licked up the [water, milk]
- the [dog] licked the [water] up
- licked it (up) off the [floor, table, surface]
- lick [crumbs, sugar, blood] from (around) your [lips, mouth]
- licked the [stamp, envelope]
- licked [his ice cream, sucker, lollipop]
- lick the [dish, plate, bowl, spoon] clean
- lick your lips at the [thought, smell, sight] of
- lick your lips in [anticipation, excitement]
- licked her lips [seductively, suggestively]
- the waves licked the [boat, shore, beach]
- [flames, fire] licked at the [door, exit, bedroom]
- lick the [team, students, cast] into shape
- lick the dust
- [the other team, they] licked us
- sexually explicit: licked her pussy
- offensive, slang, UK: lick [his, the boss's] arse
- the dog gave her [face, cheek] a lick
- the dog gave her a lick on the [face]
- gave her fingers a lick to [open, separate] the plastic bags
- gave the [envelope, seal] a lick
- Can I have a lick of your [ice cream, lollipop, popsicle]?
- with a quick lick of the tongue
- a [tiny, small, waving] lick of flame
- the [wall, kitchen, bedroom] needs a lick of paint
- the [wall] could use a lick of paint
- informal: not a lick of [suspense, dialogue, humor]
- informal: played a [mean, cool] guitar lick
- informal: (mean) [jazz, sax, rock] licks
- informal: got a few licks for [being late, answering back, failing the exam]
- UK, idiom: gave the [room, kitchen, bathroom] a lick and a promise
'lick' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):