A lick and a promise
phrase
To quickly, casually, or incompletely do something with the intention of returning to it later.
He gave the room a lick and a promise, and said he would finish cleaning later.
Often appears as...
- give something a lick and a promise
- do a lick and a promise
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
phrase
A brief effort or attempt to do something, often done in a hurry.
He ran the vacuum cleaner over the carpet in a lick and a promise, as he was late for his appointment.
Often appears as...
- have a lick and a promise
- do a lick and a promise
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
phrase
To quickly, casually, or incompletely do something with the intention of returning to it later.
He gave the room a lick and a promise, and said he would finish cleaning later.
Often appears as...
- give something a lick and a promise
- do a lick and a promise
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
phrase
A brief effort or attempt to do something, often done in a hurry.
He ran the vacuum cleaner over the carpet in a lick and a promise, as he was late for his appointment.
Often appears as...
- have a lick and a promise
- do a lick and a promise
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Implies Incompleteness
The phrase suggests a task is done incompletely, with an intention to finish it later.
I only had time to give my essay a lick and a promise before the submission.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Formal Use
It's casual and may be inappropriate in formal or professional communication.
You wouldn't 'give a report a lick and a promise' in a business setting.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Rush
Implies something was done hastily, often due to a shortage of time.
Sorry for the sketch, I could only do a lick and a promise during the meeting.
Pro Tip 1/3Implies Incompleteness
The phrase suggests a task is done incompletely, with an intention to finish it later.
I only had time to give my essay a lick and a promise before the submission.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Formal Use
It's casual and may be inappropriate in formal or professional communication.
You wouldn't 'give a report a lick and a promise' in a business setting.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Rush
Implies something was done hastily, often due to a shortage of time.
Sorry for the sketch, I could only do a lick and a promise during the meeting.
Pro Tip 1/3Implies Incompleteness
The phrase suggests a task is done incompletely, with an intention to finish it later.
I only had time to give my essay a lick and a promise before the submission.
Pro Tip 2/3Not for Formal Use
It's casual and may be inappropriate in formal or professional communication.
You wouldn't 'give a report a lick and a promise' in a business setting.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Rush
Implies something was done hastily, often due to a shortage of time.
Sorry for the sketch, I could only do a lick and a promise during the meeting.
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