lick and a promise
The idiom "lick and a promise" dates back to the early 19th century and describes a quick, superficial effort with the intention of returning to complete it later.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)A quick and superficial effort, often with the intention of doing it properly later.
Example
- She gave the kitchen a lick and a promise, planning to clean it thoroughly on the weekend.
- He did a lick and a promise on his homework, intending to finish it properly later.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lick and a promise":
lick someone's asslick the dustpromise ringlip servicepinky promiselick one's chops