give (one) a licking

1. To beat or thrash one severely. Dad's going to give you a licking if you take the car without asking. I told him I'd give him a licking if he flirted with my girlfriend again. Stay out of my stuff, you brat, or I'll give you a licking!

2. To defeat one soundly. The returning champions gave the other team a licking in the opening round of the tournament. I used to love playing chess against my dad, even though he always gave me a licking. The final score was 17–1? Yikes, that team really gave us a licking!

3. To cause one to suffer a severe setback, loss, or failure. I had a nice little fortune amassed for myself before the stock market crash gave my portfolio a licking. Unfortunately, I think the current economic downturn will give that new business a licking. Last semester gave me a licking, but I'm determined to get straight A's this semester.