give (something) a lick and a promise

give (something) a lick and a promise

1. To clean something hurriedly and carelessly. Just give those shelves a lick and a promise because Grandma will be here any minute!
2. To do something hurriedly and carelessly in order to get it done quickly and perhaps before a certain deadline. I told the interns to just give that mailing a lick and a promise because we were supposed to get it out weeks ago.
See also: and, give, lick, promise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
  • a thing of the past
  • a slew of (something)
  • a bird in the hand