promise (redirected from promised)

*lick and a promise

Fig. a hasty bit of work; a quick once-over. (*Typically: finish something with ~; give something ~.) I was pressed for time, so I just gave the housework a lick and a promise. Mary spent so much time on her history paper that she had to finish her math homework with a lick and a promise.

See also: and, lick

*lot of promise

much promise for the future. (*Typically: have ~; show ~.) Sally is quite young, but she has a lot of promise. This bush is small, but it shows a lot of promise.

See also: lot

go back on one's word and go back on one's promise; go back on one's pledge

to break a promise that one has made. I hate to go back on my word, but I won't pay you $100 afterall. Going back on your promise makes you a liar.

See also: back, word

I promise you!

Inf. I am telling you the truth! (Compare this with Trust me!) John: Things will work out, I promise you! Jane: Okay, but when? Sue: I'll be there exactly when I said. Bob: Are you sure? Sue: I promise you, I am telling the truth!

keep a promise and keep one's promise

to make good on a promise; to fulfill one's promise. If you can't keep your promises, you shouldn't make them in the first place.

See also: keep

promise something to someone

to pledge something to someone. I promised this vase to my niece. Is this book promised to anyone?

promise the moon (to someone) and promise someone the moon

to make extravagant promises to someone. Bill will promise you the moon, but he won't live up to his promises. My boss promised the moon, but never gave me a raise.

See also: moon

Promises are like piecrust, made to be broken.

Prov. It is useless to make promises, because people always break their promises. Lisa made Andrew promise not to drink anymore, but promises are like piecrust, made to be broken.

See also: broken, like, made

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give something a lick and a promise 

1. (British & Australian old-fashioned) to clean something quickly and not carefully I put on my new suit, gave my shoes a lick and a promise, and left the house.

2. (American & Australian old-fashioned) to do a job or piece of work quickly and not carefully We didn't have time to do much clearing up in the yard - just gave the grass a lick and a promise.

See also: and, give, lick

promise (somebody) the moon  (British, American & Australian) also promise (somebody) the earth (British & Australian)

to promise something impossible He had promised her the earth but five years later they were still living in the same small house.

See also: moon

Promises, promises!  (informal)

something that you say when someone says they will do something and you do not believe them 'Honestly, I will call you back this time.' 'Promises, promises!'

the promised land

a place that offers a lot of good opportunities

Usage notes: This phrase comes from the Bible.

America was the promised land for many immigrant families.

See also: land

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hold promise

to be likely to succeed The new drug holds promise for helping to control addiction.

See also: hold

promises, promises (spoken)

you will probably not do what you say you will do “When I get my check I'll buy you a new coat.” “Promises, promises!”