What does “Lick One’s Wounds” mean?
"Lick one's wounds" means to recover from a defeat or setback.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After losing the championship game, the team needed some time to lick their wounds.
Example
He spent the weekend at home, licking his wounds after being rejected from his dream job.
Example
Instead of dwelling on the failure, she decided to lick her wounds and come back stronger next time
Is “Lick One’s Wounds” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Lick One’s Wounds” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Lick One’s Wounds” effectively in context?
You can use "Lick One's Wounds" to describe the process of recovering from a defeat or setback. It implies taking time to heal and regroup after experiencing a disappointment or failure. For example, if a friend fails an important exam, you might say, 'Take some time to lick your wounds and then come back stronger.'
- 1Sports
After losing the championship game, the team needed some time to lick their wounds.
- 2Job Search
He spent the weekend at home, licking his wounds after being rejected from his dream job.
- 3Personal Growth
Instead of dwelling on the failure, she decided to lick her wounds and come back stronger next time.
Similar phrases to “Lick One’s Wounds”:
Nurse one's wounds
To take care of oneself and recover from a defeat or setback
Example
After the breakup, she took some time to nurse her wounds and focus on self-care.
To gather one's strength and resources after a setback
Example
After the project failed, the team needed to regroup and come up with a new plan.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Lick One’s Wounds” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Lick One's Wounds" is unknown.
Is “Lick One’s Wounds” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Lick One's Wounds" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe the process of recovering from a defeat or setback.
What tone does “Lick One’s Wounds” have?
"Lick One's Wounds" conveys a tone of resilience and self-reflection. It suggests taking time to heal and learn from a failure or disappointment.
Can “Lick One’s Wounds” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Lick One's Wounds" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes the process of recovering from a defeat or setback. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'After the loss, he took some time to lick his wounds and reflect on what went wrong.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "lick your wounds"!' to imply the need for self-care and reflection.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- recover from a defeat
- heal from a setback
- reflect on failure
- learn from mistakes
- get back on track
Antonyms
- move on
- ignore the setback
- brush off the defeat
- not learn from failure
- repeat the same mistakes
