# lick and a promise

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lick-and-a-promise
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A quick, not-very-thorough wash.

## Examples

- I gave the dishes a lick and a promise before guests arrived.
- He was in such a hurry that he only gave his dusty car a lick and a promise.
- Rather than performing a deep clean, she gave the apartment a lick and a promise to satisfy the landlord's inspection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.