lick

In Hawaii, "lick" is a widely used Pidgin verb that means to physically beat someone up or to completely dominate an opponent in a game or sport. It is commonly used by locals of all ages, from kids talking about video games to adults discussing high school football rivalries or MMA fights. The term is a direct adaptation of the English slang "to lick" (meaning to beat or thrash), but in the islands, it has retained a much stronger, everyday presence than on the mainland. While it is perfectly acceptable to use "lick" in casual, competitive contexts—like bragging that your team is going to "lick" the opposing school—it can also carry a more serious or violent connotation when referring to physical altercations. Parents might also use the noun form, "lickings," to warn children about impending discipline. It is best used in informal settings among friends and should be avoided in professional environments or when speaking to strangers, as it can sound overly aggressive or unpolished.

Branden was running his mouth loud enough for half of Wailuku to hear, leaning against the hood of his lifted Tacoma outside of Sam Sato's. He had just challenged his older cousin, Micah, to an arm wrestling match right there in the parking lot, bragging about his new gym routine. "I going lick you so bad, you going cry to Aunty," Branden boasted, flexing a bicep that was mostly just sunburned skin and false confidence.

Micah didn't even put down his styrofoam container of dry mein. He just sighed, wiped his free hand on his boardshorts, and locked grips with Branden. It took exactly three seconds. With a loud smack, Branden's knuckles hit the hot metal of the truck hood. A group of county water department workers at the next table burst out laughing, pointing at Branden's shocked face.

Rubbing his bruised hand and his bruised ego, Branden looked around at the grinning crowd. He realized he had just gotten completely humiliated in front of half the neighborhood. "Yeah, well, my tires still bigger," he muttered, quickly getting into the driver's seat and rolling up the windows while the laughter echoed across the pavement.