an attempt at resolving/achieving something with less effort than is required for success with a high probability of the attempt proving futile and unpleasant
By attempting to throw the game disc into the console from the couch rather than standing up and putting it in, the lazyhigh-schooler was licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup.
Idiom; to attempt an ill-advised, mildly unpleasant shortcut to avoid a more complicated process, with a high probability of failure. The idiom itself is an example of such an experience, since licking trees is unpleasant, and even maple trees rarely taste sweet just by licking the bark. The idiom also implies that tried and true methods, rather than blind experimentation, yield better results. Drilling into the trunk of a maple tree with a tap, is the correct way to obtain maple syrup.
"Kicking the car to try and make it start again won't work. That's just licking a tree and hoping for maple syrup, honestly. Let's call a tow truck instead."
Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the USCoast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
"Base we've got some square groupers floating outside of Miami harbor."
A sunburn or suntan focused on the left arm. It is caused by the left side of the body being the only half that gets exposed to sunlight while driving. Presumably, it would be located on the right side of the body in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.
I had a trucker's tan after driving for 10 straight hours on a sunny day.