lick and a promise
Hasty, careless job
A lick and a promise is a hasty, superficial effort—especially at cleaning or completing a task.
The phrase suggests doing just enough to get by, with an implicit promise to do it properly later: She gave the kitchen a lick and a promise before the guests arrived.
The lick evokes a quick pass of the tongue, as a cat might wash itself.
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
- cut cornersReduce effort or cost improperly
- half measuresIncomplete or inadequate actions
superficial · wash · brief · perfunctory · going through the motions · quick · slapdash · half-hearted · incomplete · bare minimum · dust · touch-up · make-do · good enough · rush job · once-over · patchwork · paper over
lick and a promiseleaving no stone unturned
Investigating every possible avenue
complete overhaul · the whole nine yards · deep cleaning · deep clean · thoroughgoing
lick and a promisecraftsmanship
Skill in making objects
perfectionism · due diligence · going the extra mile · workmanlike · diligence
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