Street
hit a lick
What does hit a lick mean?
To 'hit a lick' is to carry out a robbery or otherwise obtain a large sum of money quickly through illegal means.
"They hit a lick at the check-cashing place and were gone in ninety seconds."
Origin
AAVE; popularized in hip-hop from the early 1990s (e.g., Scarface, 1991).
Frequently asked questions
What does 'hit a lick' mean?
It means to pull off a robbery or otherwise make a large sum of money quickly through illegal means.
What is a 'lick'?
A 'lick' on its own is the score or robbery itself, the quick illicit payday you're trying to hit.
Where does 'hit a lick' come from?
It comes from AAVE and was popularized in hip-hop from the early 1990s.
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