take a licking and keep on ticking

verb1

•
To be tough; to have endurance; to have the capacity to absorb stress or damage, but still be able to function.
- How am I supposed to knock these other guys off. My wild card is nothing but defensive. I take a licking and keep on ticking. Big whoop. — 2008

forms

took a licking and kept on ticking · taken a licking and kept on ticking · taking a licking and keeping on ticking · takes a licking and keeps on ticking