promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world

idiom

: to promise (someone) that one will do or give something great or wonderful even though it is not possible
He promised her the stars and the moon, so she married him.
Politicians will promise the earth when they're trying to get elected.

Examples of promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both can also leave you vulnerable to throwing money at treatments that promise the world. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024 However, the industry is rife with providers that promise the moon but deliver far less. Ben Gebremeskel, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Dictionary Entries Near promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world

promiseful

promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world

promising

Cite this Entry

“Promise (someone) the stars/moon/earth/world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promise%20%28someone%29%20the%20stars%2Fmoon%2Fearth%2Fworld. Accessed 25 Jan. 2025.

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