lick one's wounds

The phrase "lick one's wounds" is an idiom that means to recover or heal from a defeat, failure, or injury, usually by taking time for oneself to reflect and restore confidence or physical well-being. It is often used to describe the process of recuperation or self-care after experiencing a setback or setback. The phrase is metaphorical, comparing the act of animals licking their own wounds to humans attending to their emotional or physical scars.