lick off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lick off" is correct and usable in written English, though it may have specific connotations depending on the context.
You can use it in informal contexts, often to describe the action of removing something by licking, such as food or a substance from a surface. Example: "He accidentally spilled ice cream on his shirt and had to lick it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Being fastidious groomers, cats will lick off almost anything that gets on their fur.

The Guardian

I got £3.50 an hour and as much orange juice as I could lick off my two hands.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Very often, the iman would make a mistake and he would lick off the mistake with his tongue," Yalter explains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It looks a little like cake frosting and is just as easy to lick off the fingers.

The New York Times

Cooking is about smelling the spices and dipping a finger into a fondue to lick off a taste.

The New York Times - Arts

I like my apricots ripe, raw and straight up, eaten over the sink to catch any nectar that dribbles too fast for me to lick off my hand.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He put it all in, swivelled the papers, and licked off his first joint.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When angry locals start stoning the place Quinn licks off a shot, dropping a rock-throwing imbecile who tragically survives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You feel as if you are trapped in a chair while your beard is intently licked off by a mountain lion with an 80-grit-sandpaper tongue.

The New York Times

Every year or so, I'll make one, devour it, and then forget about it as soon as the last of its crumbs are licked off my fingers.

The New York Times - Food

Imagine that: a great, warm, wet, abrasive tongue licking off skin after skin, down to the bottommost one, which starts to sprout shiny little animal hairs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "lick off", consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound informal or even slightly crude, depending on what is being licked and the overall tone of your writing. Choose more formal alternatives like "remove by licking" or "clean with the tongue" if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "lick off" in formal or professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "remove with the tongue" or "clean by licking" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lick off" functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of removing something, often food or liquid, from a surface using the tongue. As Ludwig AI shows, it’s commonly used to describe the way animals clean themselves.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "lick off" describes the action of removing something, generally a substance like food or liquid, from a surface using the tongue. According to Ludwig AI, while generally grammatically correct, its usage tends to be informal, and it's more frequently found in contexts like news and media or general discussions, and is generally not appropriate in a professional context. When writing, it's important to consider the audience and context and choose more formal alternatives when necessary, such as "remove by licking" or "consume by licking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lick away

Suggests the gradual removal of something by licking.

remove by licking

Emphasizes the action of removing something with the tongue.

clean with the tongue

Focuses on the cleaning aspect of licking.

consume by licking

Specifically focuses on eating or drinking via licking.

lap up

Implies consuming a liquid with the tongue.

tongue away

Highlights the use of the tongue to move something away.

take up with the tongue

A more descriptive and less common way of saying "lick off".

glean with the tongue

Implies gathering small amounts of something by licking.

deglaze with the tongue

Focuses on removing a glaze or coating by licking.

slurp up

Suggests noisy or enthusiastic licking.

FAQs

What does the phrase "lick off" mean?

The phrase "lick off" means to remove something from a surface by using your tongue. It often implies consuming what is being removed, such as food or liquid.

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

You can use "lick off" in a sentence like this: "The cat will "lick off" almost anything that gets on their fur." or "He accidentally spilled ice cream on his shirt and had to "lick it off"."

Are there more formal alternatives to "lick off"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "remove by licking", "clean with the tongue", or "consume by licking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "lick off" in professional writing?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "lick off" in professional writing. It can come across as informal or even crude. Opt for more professional alternatives like "remove by licking" to maintain a professional tone.