empty promises
Words without follow-through
Empty promises are commitments made without intention or ability to fulfill them.
The phrase implies deception or at least carelessness—someone offers reassurance or makes pledges knowing they won't follow through.
Politicians are frequently accused of making empty promises during campaigns.
He kept making empty promises about quitting drinking.
Her apology felt like another empty promise.
- lip serviceInsincere expression of agreement
- all talkPromises without follow-through
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- smoke and mirrorsDeceptive obfuscation tactics
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
paper tiger · hollow · sweet nothings · bravado · insincerity · betrayal · placation · snake oil · rain check · demagoguery · propaganda · dishonesty · false hope · hot air · hypocrisy · tokenism · pinky swear · manipulation
- ineffective responsesexcuses, deflection, denial, avoidance, stonewalling
- demagogueryrabble-rousing, fearmongering, fear mongering, scapegoating, pandering
- hypocrisyhypocrisy, hypocrite, sanctimony, two-faced, self-righteousness
- moochingmooch, moocher, mooching, freeloader, freeloading
- blatherbabble, balderdash, baloney, blarney, blather
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
empty promisessolemn vows
Serious formal promises
contractual obligations · blood oaths · word of honor · covenant · sworn testimony
empty promisesbinding contracts
Enforceable formal obligations
legal obligations · blood oaths · solemn vows · fiduciary duties
empty, promise, compromise, promised, promising, emptiness, emptied, emptying, promises