lick the dust
The phrase "lick the dust" is an idiomatic expression with historical and literary roots, often used metaphorically to indicate defeat or death.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To be defeated or humiliated.
Example
- After a long and grueling match, the champion finally licked the dust.
- Many competitors licked the dust in the intense final round.
B2General
(informal)To die or meet one's end.
Example
- The outlaw licked the dust in a dramatic showdown.
- Many soldiers licked the dust on the battlefield.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lick the dust":
eat someone's dustbeat the dustdust offlick someone's asskick up dustbite the dustdust uplick and a promisehit the dirteat dirtthrow dirt onwipe the floor with someonetake one's lumps