PhrasesHub

Lick and a promise

    Definitions

      • to do something quickly and carelessly
        To indicate that a task or job was done hastily and without much effort or attention to detail

      • to pretend to do something
        To suggest that someone is only making a superficial effort to accomplish a task or duty

    Examples of Lick and a promise

    • The boss promised us a raise if we worked overtime without any complaints for a week. During that week, we all licked our lips in anticipation of the promised raise, but now the boss has disappeared without a word. This is an example of the idiom "lick and a promise."

      "Lick and a promise" is a slang expression that is used to describe a situation where someone makes a promise, but there is doubt as to whether that promise will be kept. The expression comes from the idea that when a person makes a promise, they might lick their lips in anticipation of fulfilling that promise, but if they do not follow through, it is like they have made a false promise, leaving the other person feeling like they have been duped. In this example, the boss made a promise to raise our salaries if we worked overtime without any complaints, but now we are uncertain whether he will actually follow through on his promise, leaving us with a sense of uncertainty and doubt.

    • After the mechanic fixed my car, he asked for a favor in return. He said, "Fix a flat tire for my wife's car tonight, and I'll give you a detailed explanation of how I repaired your engine."

      This is an example of using the idiom "lick and a promise" in the form of a quid pro quo. It means that the mechanic is requesting a small favor, but promises to provide a valuable service in return.

    • My boss asked me to complete a project by the end of the week, and in exchange, he promised to have lunch with me at my favorite restaurant.

      This is another example of using the idiom "lick and a promise." It suggests that my boss is asking for a favor, but promises to offer a reward in return.

    • My friend agreed to help me move furniture into my new apartment, and in return, I promised to let him borrow my car for a weekend trip.

      This is an example of the idiom "lick and a promise" used in a transactional context. By offering to lend my friend my car, I am essentially promising to repay his favor of helping me move.

    • The politician made a grandiose promise to the voters in return for their votes, saying, "Vote for me, and I will fix all of the potholes on your street."

      This is a humorous example of the idiom "lick and a promise." While the politician is making a grand offer, it is also a hyperbole, meant to highlight the idea that politicians often make grand promises that they may not be able to keep.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "lick and a promise" can be used to convey the idea of doing something quickly and carelessly, or of pretending to do something without putting in a genuine effort.

    Origin of "Lick and a promise"

    The origin of the idiom "lick and a promise" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the 18th century. The phrase likely comes from the idea of quickly "licking" a dirty surface clean and then making a "promise" to come back and clean it properly later. Over time, the expression evolved to represent any task that is done hastily or without much effort. It is also possible that the phrase originated from the practice of children quickly "licking" their fingers to clean them before making a "promise" to behave or do something. Regardless of its exact origins, "lick and a promise" has come to represent a superficial or careless effort.