Idiom
give a lick and a promisegive (something) a lick and a promise
1.
to clean something quickly and not carefully.
I put on my new suit, gave my shoes a lick and a promise, and left the house.
2.
to do a job or piece of work quickly and not carefully.
We didn't have time to do much clearing up in the yard - just gave the grass a lick and a promise.