lick one's wounds
Recover from defeat
To lick one's wounds is to withdraw after a defeat or setback to recover and nurse one's injuries—physical or emotional.
The image comes from animals literally licking their wounds to clean and soothe them.
After losing the election, she retreated to lick her wounds before planning her next move.
- recuperationGradual return to health
- healingRestoration of health
- time healsDuration brings recovery
- solaceRelief from distress
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
salve · introspection · mending · retreat · comfort · restoration · rehabilitation · soothing · recovery · bandaging · grief · contemplation · take stock · quiet reflection · regeneration · pick up the pieces · defeat · bruised ego
lick one's woundsgloat
Relish superiority smugly
crow · pat oneself on the back · rest on one's laurels · ride high · strut
lick one's woundsdouble down
Strengthen one's stance
come out swinging · bounce back · soldier on · forge ahead · fight on
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