idle pledges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "idle pledges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to promises or commitments that are not followed through or are made without the intention of being fulfilled. Example: "The politician's campaign was filled with idle pledges that never materialized into real change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When discussing another policy he later said: "This is not an idle promise, it is a pledge;" the distinction was noted with a national belly laugh.

The Guardian

Since then, the company has taken public positions like supporting Mr. Obama's individual mandate in health coverage and pledging to reduce the idle time of trucks to help cut down on pollutants.

The New York Times

Backers, many of whom were undoubtedly idle on their chairs as they pledged, were driven by promise (and perhaps a bit of guilt) to meet the initial funding goal in three-and-a-half hours.

TechCrunch

Faber's work on ILTFP demonstrates that his pledge to fix Dorm Rush is not idle talk.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Idle Wives.

Columbia University

Idle hands".

The New York Times

Idle chatter?

The Economist

Some idle.

The Economist

"Idle run".

The New York Times

Is he ever idle?

The Guardian - Books

Idle timeout control / actions.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "idle pledges" with strong verbs like "denounce", "criticize", or "expose" to emphasize the negative consequences of unfulfilled commitments.

Common error

Avoid using "idle pledges" when the situation involves a simple oversight or delay. Reserve it for instances where there's a clear pattern of negligence or insincerity in fulfilling promises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "idle pledges" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is usable, generally characterizing promises that are not fulfilled or are made insincerely.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "idle pledges" is a noun phrase used to describe promises or commitments lacking substance or intent. Ludwig confirms its usability in English. While grammatically sound, its usage is infrequent. Related phrases include "empty promises" and "hollow commitments". When employing this phrase, clarity is key to effectively convey the unfulfilled nature of the commitments. Despite the lack of examples in the search results, Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty promises

Focuses on the lack of substance or intention behind the promises.

hollow commitments

Highlights the lack of genuine dedication or follow-through.

broken promises

Emphasizes the act of failing to keep a promise that was initially made.

unfulfilled pledges

Directly states that the pledges have not been carried out.

insincere promises

Suggests the promises were not made with honesty or genuine intent.

false assurances

Implies the promises were misleading or deceptive.

meaningless commitments

Stresses that the commitments have no real impact or value.

worthless promises

Indicates that the promises are of no practical use or benefit.

unkept vows

Focuses on vows that were not honored.

neglected undertakings

Highlights that the undertakings were abandoned or ignored.

FAQs

What does the phrase "idle pledges" mean?

The phrase "idle pledges" refers to promises or commitments that are not followed through or are made without the intention of being fulfilled. They lack substance and are often seen as meaningless.

What can I say instead of "idle pledges"?

You can use alternatives like "empty promises", "hollow commitments", or "unfulfilled pledges" depending on the context.

How do I use "idle pledges" in a sentence?

You can use "idle pledges" to describe politicians, organizations, or individuals who make promises they do not intend to keep. For example: "The politician's campaign was filled with "idle pledges" that never materialized into real change."

What's the difference between "idle pledges" and "broken promises"?

"Idle pledges" suggest a lack of intent to fulfill the promise from the outset, while "broken promises" imply an initial intention that was later abandoned.