licking off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "licking off" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in informal contexts, often referring to the act of removing something by licking, such as food or a substance from a surface. Example: "The dog was licking off the peanut butter from the spoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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

The British biscuit industry must launch a concerted PR fightback lest we forget the art of, say, splitting a custard cream and painstakingly licking off the fondant before, the biscuit now all wet with saliva, eating the remaining half.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

1 tub McDonalds Brand Barbeque Sauce (plus more for licking off pinky finger). 1 lg.

Huffington Post

Finally, the babies are swaddled in colorful bandages to keep them from licking off the balm, which also happen to look a lot like baby onesies.

Huffington Post

The following are products you definitely don't want your dog, cat, bird, or other animal companion licking off you and ingesting.

Huffington Post

This will keep them from licking off the paste.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the imagery that "licking off" evokes. It can be quite visceral, so use it deliberately to create a specific effect.

Common error

Avoid using "licking off" in formal writing scenarios. It is generally considered too informal and can detract from the professionalism of your writing. Opt for alternatives like "removing by licking" or "cleaning with the tongue" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "licking off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes the action of removing something from a surface using the tongue. Ludwig AI also validates its correctness, solidifying its role as a functional expression within the English language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "licking off" is a phrasal verb that describes the action of removing something by licking it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, mostly in informal contexts. While mostly correct, it is important to consider the context and audience, avoiding formal or professional communications. As Ludwig's examples show, it appears in various media, but its frequency of use remains uncommon. Alternative options like "lapping up" and "removing by licking" can be useful depending on the register needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

removing by licking

Focuses on the method of removal, generalizing the action.

lapping up

Suggests a more eager or animalistic way of "licking off", typically used for liquids.

cleaning with the tongue

Emphasizes the cleaning aspect of the action.

removing with one's tongue

Formally specifies the instrument of removal.

tonguing off

A more informal and potentially suggestive alternative.

consuming by licking

Highlights the consumption aspect, particularly when referring to food.

taking off with the tongue

More descriptive, emphasizing the removal process.

sweeping off with the tongue

Emphasizes a broad, sweeping action.

erasing with the tongue

Implies a complete removal, as if deleting something.

drawing off with the tongue

Implies a slow and deliberate extraction.

FAQs

What does "licking off" mean?

The phrase "licking off" describes the action of removing something from a surface by using the tongue. It's often used when talking about food or substances on skin.

Is "licking off" appropriate for formal writing?

Generally, "licking off" is considered informal. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "removing by licking" or "cleaning with the tongue".

What are some alternatives to "licking off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "lapping up", "removing by licking", or "cleaning with the tongue".

Can I use "licking off" to describe any type of removal?

While generally used for substances or food, "licking off" implies a specific method of removal using the tongue. Ensure the context clearly indicates this action.