WITH A LICK AND A PROMISE Meaning and
Definition
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"With a lick and a promise" is a colloquial phrase that originated in the late 19th century and is commonly used in informal speech. It describes the act of hastily or superficially completing a task, often without giving it proper attention or care, intending to come back to it later for further improvement or completion. The phrase is metaphorical and draws an analogy to the act of quickly cleaning something with a lick of a cloth or brush, leaving the task unfinished but promising to return to it.
The phrase is typically used to convey a sense of inefficiency, half-heartedness, or laziness in completing a task or obligation. It suggests that the person performing the task is not fully committed or dedicated to doing it properly, instead opting for a quick or subpar solution in hopes of satisfying immediate requirements. It implies a lack of thoroughness, attention to detail, or a genuine desire to provide quality work.
The phrase can be applied to a diverse range of contexts, such as hastily cleaning a room, completing a homework assignment without proper effort, or neglecting proper maintenance of an object or space. It is often used in a slightly negative or disapproving manner to imply that the task performed was not done to the best of one's abilities.
Overall, "with a lick and a promise" describes a hasty or superficial completion of a task, leaving it unfinished or unsatisfactory with the intention of returning to it later.
Common Misspellings for WITH A LICK AND A PROMISE
