lick all over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lick all over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is describing the action of licking something thoroughly or completely, often in a playful or affectionate manner. Example: "The puppy was so excited to see its owner that it began to lick all over their face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The British high commissoner's wife said that after a conversation with him she felt that she needed a bath "as if the cat had licked her all over".

The Guardian - Books

"And there is always," she said, "the young hopeful from Arkansas to call her up, and lick you all over, stick her tongue up your ass…".

Vice

To the point where,having rehearsed [her] in the most intimate one-to-one mode this side of actually licking her all over,announces 'Right,let's go for a take!

The Guardian - Books

In three out of the five pieces played -- "Potsa Lotsa," "Serene" and "Gazzellioni" -- his solos were remarkable: he regularly came up with new improvisational devices, from bop and stride licks to scattered, all-over fluttering to attention-getting clarion calls that signaled a new track of logic.

The New York Times - Arts

I'd come back to the burrow and get licked all over by tiny fox tongues.

Vice

It was muddy and Molly wouldn't sit down, so we put Kinley next to her and she just plopped down and started licking all over Kinley.

Huffington Post

Groom your cat! Yes, if you have a cat you'll know that cats do clean themselves by licking all over, but sometimes that's not enough.

WikiHow

But Lenny was like a big labrador puppy who wanted to lick your face and jump all over everything!

The Guardian - Music

"I could lick Gabriel Byrne all over," a fan calling herself Therealzenobia confided on an HBO message board.

The New York Times

It was so helpful, because, in the past, whenever I got a suspicious package I would immediately lick it all over.

The New Yorker

One Dog takes me to a shaman of sorts who sells aphrodisiacal incense: I pass on the lurid "Lick Me All Over" and settle for the still-sultry sandalwood.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lick all over" in writing, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, especially when describing actions that could be misinterpreted. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing to determine if a more formal or descriptive phrase would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "lick all over" in formal or professional writing where a more sophisticated or clinical term would be more suitable. Overusing informal language can undermine the credibility of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lick all over" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe a comprehensive or thorough action of licking. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing animal behavior or exaggerated human actions. It describes how an action (licking) is performed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lick all over" is a phrasal verb generally used informally to describe an action of thoroughly or completely licking something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct. While versatile, it appears most often in news and media sources. When incorporating "lick all over" into your writing, consider your audience and the overall tone to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thoroughly lick

Focuses on the completeness of the licking action.

cover with licks

Emphasizes the act of applying licks across a surface.

lavish with licks

Suggests a generous or excessive amount of licking.

give a complete licking

Highlights the entirety of the licking process.

clean by licking entirely

Focuses on the cleaning aspect achieved through full licking.

lick from top to bottom

Indicates directionality, covering everything vertically.

lick every inch

Emphasizes meticulous and complete coverage.

cover end to end with licks

Highlights the full length being covered.

lick with great intensity

Focuses on the manner rather than the coverage.

smother with kisses

Shifts to a related but different expression of affection.

FAQs

How can I use "lick all over" in a sentence?

You can use "lick all over" to describe thorough licking, for example, "The dog was so happy to see me that it started to "lick all over" my face."

What are some alternatives to "lick all over"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "thoroughly lick", "cover with licks", or "lavish with licks".

Is it appropriate to use "lick all over" in formal writing?

Generally, "lick all over" is considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more descriptive or clinical language.

What does it mean when someone says something is "licked all over"?

It typically means something has been licked completely, thoroughly, or excessively. The specific connotation can vary based on the context.