Lick the dust is an idiom meaning to be defeated or humiliated. There are several synonyms for this expression that are commonly used, such as "bite the dust," "fall flat," "meet one's match," or "come to grief." All of these phrases carry the same notion of being defeated or experiencing a great disappointment. Alternatively, some other phrases that can be used in place of lick the dust include "crash and burn," "lose one's shirt," or "be left holding the bag." Whether a person faces defeat in sports, business, or life in general, there are plenty of alternative phrases to convey the same sense of disappointment and frustration.