Lick your wounds
verb
To take time to recover after a defeat or setback.
The team went home to lick their wounds after losing the championship game.
Often appears as...
- go home to lick wounds
- take time to lick wounds
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To take time to recover after a defeat or setback.
The team went home to lick their wounds after losing the championship game.
Often appears as...
- go home to lick wounds
- take time to lick wounds
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Healing
This phrase suggests recovery from an emotional or psychological setback, not physical injury.
After the argument, she needed time to lick her wounds.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't mean actual licking of wounds; it's a figure of speech borrowed from the animal kingdom.
Defeated in the debate, the candidate retreated to lick his wounds.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Recovery
Use this expression when someone needs time alone to deal with their troubles or failures.
She's licking her wounds after the breakup.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Healing
This phrase suggests recovery from an emotional or psychological setback, not physical injury.
After the argument, she needed time to lick her wounds.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't mean actual licking of wounds; it's a figure of speech borrowed from the animal kingdom.
Defeated in the debate, the candidate retreated to lick his wounds.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Recovery
Use this expression when someone needs time alone to deal with their troubles or failures.
She's licking her wounds after the breakup.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Healing
This phrase suggests recovery from an emotional or psychological setback, not physical injury.
After the argument, she needed time to lick her wounds.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
The phrase doesn't mean actual licking of wounds; it's a figure of speech borrowed from the animal kingdom.
Defeated in the debate, the candidate retreated to lick his wounds.
Pro Tip 3/3Personal Recovery
Use this expression when someone needs time alone to deal with their troubles or failures.
She's licking her wounds after the breakup.
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