lick and a promise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dismissed foreign policy and foreign trade with a lick and a promise.

From Time Magazine Archive

Malachy whispers our wash was a lick and a promise, that’s what Mam would say.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

He did up the work, singing hopefully as he rolled about the room, giving things what he called "a lick and a promise."

From Uncle William: the man who was shif'less by Lee, Jennette

One of her mother's phrases came into her head: 'a lick and a promise.'

From The Old Wives' Tale by Bennett, Arnold

Here the men washed, and here, too, our buckets were filled each morning for the "lick and a promise" that served as a substitute for a bath.

From From the St. Lawrence to the Yser with the 1st Canadian brigade by Curry, Frederic C.