empty promise
10
3.8
- noun
- /ˈɛmpti ˈprɑːmɪs/
:
promesa vacía
- The politician's speech was filled with empty promises, leaving voters disillusioned.
But this cheap thrill version, the sort of ease definition, the feel good definition of happiness is, is an empty promise.
- But this cheap thrill version, the sort of ease definition, the feel good definition of happiness is, is an empty promise.
- I think that even politically, people are drawn to parties that offer them something, even if it's an empty promise.
Examples
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People like empty promises, you know?
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They've all made 'empty promises' and duped their constituents.
Blog text (21) -
It's not just an empty promise.
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If this kind of empty promise is made, look for the market to top soon after.
Blog text (19) -
For most of them, it is an empty promise.
Blog text (11) -
We need bold action now, not just more empty promises for the future.
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The majority turned their back on God's chosen people for the love of money and empty promises.
Blog text (13) -
We're sick and tired of empty promises that this country continues to support on the backs of the citizens of Baltimore.
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In the meantime, transit advocates are left with empty promises from the governor.
Blog text (20) -
And we must demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise and that treaties will be enforced.
Academic text (2010)
Synonyms
1
5.5
A person or thing that makes big promises but does not act
How Likely
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a promise made without any intention of being kept' is directly and compositionally derived from 'empty' (lacking substance or sincerity) combined with 'promise' (an assurance). This literal, predictable combination is cross-linguistically common and would be readily inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.
Etymology
The phrase empty promise comes from a simple image: a promise is like a box or bag that looks full but is really empty, with nothing inside. So it means 'a promise made without any intention of being kept'.