give a promise—undertake to do or not to do smth.:
- He gave a promise that he would come again and bring assistance, and he kept it.
give promise—
1. be a token of smth.; indicate smth. beforehand:
- A heavy mist gave promise of a hot day, and it turned out a “scorcher.”
2. show qualities that give hope of success or good results:
- These children don’t give much promise.