I want to be in control of the situation and if I can't then no one is going to be allowed to be happy about the outcome. The expression comes from the playground where one kid, the one who owns the soccer ball or basket ball, doesn't get his way in the game.
English - Californian. Feb 13, 2013. #2. "We'll hold you to that" sounds much more natural to me. It's often used with future plans. For some reason, "We'll take you at your word" seems a little bit antagonistic - almost as if you normally don't/wouldn't trust this person. The meaning of TAKE ONE'S LICKS is to be subjected to harsh criticism. How to use take one's licks in a sentence. waaDsi.