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.
Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Mask $22 Sephora Plenty of products promise the world insofar as lips go, but this one—founded by Annie Lawless—truly delivers. Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 31 Mar. 2025 Games often promise the world (and more); here, five that deliver an impressive and refreshing clarity of vision. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

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 21 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!