a lick and a promise
noun
1
US
: a quick and careless attempt to do something
They gave the budget problems a lick and a promise and then moved on to the next issue.
2
British
: the act of washing something quickly or carelessly
He gave the car a lick and a promise.
Cite this Entry
“A lick and a promise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20lick%20and%20a%20promise. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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