- a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that guarantees that a particular thing will happen允诺; 诺言; 承诺, 保证：
what happened to all those firm promises of support?
所有那些坚定支持的诺言都到哪儿去了？
with clause he took my fax number with the promise that he would send me a drawing他要了我的传真号码, 答应给我发一图样
with infinitive I did not keep my promise to go home early.我没有信守诺言早点回家。
- mass noun the quality of potential excellence前途; 指望; 出息：
he showed great promise even as a junior officer.
他还是下级军官时就显示出前途无量。
- in sing. an indication that something specified is expected or likely to occur可能：
there was a promise of peace in a land that had endured the threat of war for six months.
经受了六个月的战争威胁之后, 该地区出现了和平的迹象。
- reporting verb assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen答应, 允诺; 作出保证：
with infinitive he promised to forward my mail他答应帮我转交信件
with clause she made him promise that he wouldn't do it again她逼他保证不再做这种事
with direct speech 'I'll bring it straight back,' she promised“我马上就拿回来,"她答应道
with two objs he promised her the job.他答应把这份工作给她。
- with obj.（一般作be promised）archaic pledge (someone, especially a woman) to marry someone else; betroth〈古〉把（某人, 尤指女人）许配给：
I've been promised to him for years.
我好几年前就被许配给他了。
- with obj. give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence or situation)有…可能; 给…以指望：
forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music from around the world
即将到来的音乐会可能是汇聚世界各地音乐的盛会
with infinitive it promised to be a night that all present would long remember.这会是一个所有在场的人都可能长久难以忘怀的夜晚。
- (of a person, publication, institution, etc.) announce (something) as being expected to happen（人、出版物、机构等）宣布…（将发生）：
China yesterday promised a record summer grain harvest
中国昨天宣布今年的夏收将创纪录
with two objs we're promised more winter weather tonight.我们被告知今晚天气会更冷。
(promise oneself)
- contemplate the pleasant expectation of指望, 期待：
he tidied up the sitting room, promising himself an early night.
他把起居室整理好, 指望晚上能早点休息。
I promise（或I promise you）
- informal used for emphasis, especially so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone〈非正式〉（尤指用以加强安慰、鼓励或威胁的口气）我（向你）保证：
oh, I'm not joking, I promise you.
哦, 我不是在开玩笑, 我向你保证。
on a promise
- informal (of a person) confidently assured of something, especially of having sexual intercourse with someone〈非正式〉（人）被确切保证某事的（尤指性关系）：
a shop where Tom and I are on a promise with the girls serving there.
一家我和汤姆与女服务员有默契的商店。
promise (someone) the earth（或moon）
- make extravagant promises to someone that are unlikely to be fulfilled夸下海口：
interactive technology titillates, promises the earth but delivers nothing.
交互技术令人兴奋, 可惜是雷声大, 雨点小。
promises, promises
- informal used to indicate that the speaker is sceptical about someone's stated intention to do something〈非正式〉（表示说话者怀疑某人宣称的意图）诺言复诺言。