Have you not noticed that if you are seated and your adversary is standing, when you get enthusiastic and wish to combat his argument, it is impossible for you to get in your best licks while you are seated?
"Dollars and Sense"
Col. Wm. C. Hunter
But, feller-citizens, we ought to be most rejoiced now because freedom is going it at such big licks.
"Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia"
Seba Smith
Yes; out of the black of the sky there came a sort of sound that goes before a storm; and, boys, it licks me how such a shadder of a noise can come on in advance.
"Tales from the Veld"
Ernest Glanville