promise the earth

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promise (one) the earth

To promise someone something that is not feasible or cannot be done. Your clients will come to distrust you if you keep promising them the earth and then inevitably fail to deliver.

promise the earth

If someone promises the earth, they promise to give people things that they cannot in fact possibly give them. `Politicians have lost credibility,' he complained, `they promise the earth and don't deliver.'

promise (somebody) the ˈmoon/ˈearth/ˈworld

(informal) make very big or impossible promises that you are unlikely to keep: He promised her the moon, but after ten years of marriage they hardly had enough to live on.

See also: earth, moon, promise, world

References in periodicals archive ?

The "money is no object" pledge wasn't worth the press release it was written on and Mr Cameron has once again shown himself to be a snake-oil salesman who will promise the earth but deliver very little.

He'll never hold water; VOICE OF THE DAILY Mirror

The SNP promise the earth on public services, welfare, pensions and an oil fund off the back of oil and gas revenues - yet the OBR's figures make clear that revenue from the North Sea is declining now and over the long term.

MIND THE PS24bn GAP, MR SWINNEY; SNP tax hopes blown apart by new oil forecast

What we need at every level of public life are professional politicians who promise the earth and deliver dust.

Politicians ought to stand aside; Views of the North

Some would say that to achieve it you need at least 873 products which promise the earth - like make you look 15 years younger, two decades firmer and a lifetime more interesting.

ADIES, do you want that fabled; t h e firstwo rd

The White Swan Centre in Killingworth is asking people to make a small difference to their lifestyle to help protect the environment and promise the earth for United Nations World Environment Day on 5th June 2006.

Killingworth

Many chairmen promise the earth and the stars, but Sam has put his money where his mouth is.

Kavanagh is hoping to rule at Britannia

Muriel is one of thousands of desperate people who respond to home-working adverts that promise the earth - but end in disappointment.

The home-work 'rip-off' which leaves the poor out of pocket; `The whole thing knocked me for six. What makes things worse is the fact that it is the people who can least afford it who get caught out by these scams'

They will never be in power, so their candidate can promise the earth safe in the knowledge that his party will never have the responsibility of delivering results.

Lib Dem's claims won't come to pass; VIOCE OF THE NORTH

A company like Connex can promise the earth, but if they can't deliver they're worthless.

Connex connection may derail Rail Wales bid for Welsh franchise

I wonder who is now going to have the guts to take on a job with employers who promise the earth then refuse to make any changes and when things fall apart, make them the scapegoat.

HENRY; POSTBAG: Your say on The Great Redeemer's departure

Balls can't promise the Earth but he should be worried about responses to his big speech.

One Nation will divide over this

These are vital services for people and it exposes the real truth about the SNP - they promise the earth in election campaigns but deliver cuts when they are in power.

ROY WON'T BOTTLE IT; Crime writer Rankin backs Labour in by-election GLENROTHES BY-ELECTION ONE DAY TO GO

Don't get rushed into a deal offered by aggressive salesmen or advertisements that promise the earth.

Glaze a trail; windows & doors Add style and extra security to your home by installing double glazing - and save on heating bills too, writes ROB REID

Ed doesn't promise the Earth, he doesn't know what he will inherit come the election in 2015, but Labour will guarantee job prospects for the under-25s and better youth services.