a lick of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lick of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean "a small amount of," as in "He managed to give the project a lick of paint" or "The soup was missing a lick of paprika."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't speak a lick of Tamil.

The New York Times - Food

It is a lick of paint".

The Guardian - Film

When we moved, I didn't speak a lick of Italian.

The New York Times

A lick of blue where North Sea meets sky.

The Guardian - Travel

He also gave her a lick of his vodka.

The New Yorker

None of this makes a lick of sense.

The New York Times

"But this isn't just a lick of paint.

The Guardian

He's never given me a lick of problems.

The New York Times - Sports

I was incredulous when she made a lick of sense.

The New Yorker

The shrimp arrived butterflied under a lick of lemony butter.

The New York Times

"He never gave us a lick of trouble".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lick of" to subtly indicate a small, often superficial application or presence of something. It is best suited for informal and descriptive writing where a precise measurement is not necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a lick of" in formal or technical writing where precision is important. Opt for more specific quantifiers like "a small amount of" or "a trace of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lick of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity or superficial application. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, such as "a lick of paint" or "a lick of sense".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lick of" is a common and acceptable phrase used to indicate a small quantity or superficial application. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in formal contexts where precision is paramount, opting instead for more specific terms. Remember to consider synonyms such as "a touch of" or "a hint of" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of

Replaces "lick" with "touch", implying a gentle or subtle addition.

a hint of

Substitutes "lick" with "hint", suggesting a very small and subtle amount.

a dash of

Replaces "lick" with "dash", implying a quick and small addition.

a smattering of

Changes the imagery to suggest a scattering, still implying a small quantity.

a coating of

Replaces "lick" with "coating", focusing on the idea of a thin layer.

a splash of

Substitutes "lick" with "splash", implying a small and somewhat random application.

a trace of

Replaces "lick" with "trace", suggesting a barely perceptible amount.

a brush of

Changes "lick" to "brush", suggesting a light and quick application.

a modicum of

Replaces the imagery with a more formal term for a small quantity.

a suspicion of

Implies something is barely present or detectable.

FAQs

How can I use "a lick of" in a sentence?

You can use "a lick of" to describe a small amount or a superficial application of something, such as "The room just needs "a lick of paint"" or "The dish could use "a lick of salt"".

What does "a lick of paint" mean?

"A lick of paint" means a quick, superficial application of paint, usually to refresh or improve the appearance of something without a thorough or complete renovation. It suggests a minimal effort to improve aesthetics.

What are some synonyms for "a lick of"?

Synonyms for "a lick of" include "a touch of", "a hint of", "a dash of", or "a smattering of" depending on the context. These alternatives convey a small quantity or superficial application.

Is it appropriate to use "a lick of" in formal writing?

While "a lick of" is widely understood, it is generally more appropriate for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using more precise and professional language like "a small amount of" or "a trace of".