English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook Vocabulary Reference and Practice 3rd Edition

76
Promises
If you 
promise someone the earth/moon, you promise them a great deal. It is usually implied that 
such a promise is unrealistic: The afternoon 
promises to be interesting! 
[the speaker expects it will be 
interesting = We 
anticipate
that the afternoon will be interesting]
To 
anticipate something is to expect it 
before it happens.
Promise can also be used to indicate positive future development: The child already shows great 
promise as a violinist. She’s a promising artist although her style is still rather immature.
An 
oath / to swear is a formal promise. In court, witnesses are put on/under oath when they have 
to swear to tell the truth.
Notice how 
swear is often used in informal spoken English in expressions:
I 
could have sworn I left my purse on the table. 
[was absolutely certain]
I think she lives on Rose Street but I 
couldn’t swear to it. 
[am not totally sure]
My mother 
swears by these vitamin pills. 
[uses them and thinks they are wonderful]
Tom often uses 
swear words / bad language. 
[taboo expressions]
To 
pledge (a pledge) means to promise something, often friendship or money: Mayor Williams has 
pledged millions of dollars to improve the city centre.
To 
vow (a vow) is to make a determined decision or promise to do something: He vowed to discover 
who had killed his father. At a marriage ceremony, the couple 
exchange vows. Both vow and pledge 
are found more in written than spoken English.
New Year’s resolutions are special promises to turn over a new leaf at the beginning of a new year. 
[to change your behaviour for the better]