A. 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 it 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]

Resolutions and vows, like promises or pledges, can be made, kept or broken.
If you go back on your word, you break a promise.

B. Bets

To bet (a bet) is to risk something, usually money, on the unknown result of something, in the hope of winning more money; people spend (and lose) a lot of money betting on horse racing or football matches. Putting money on the results of a game of some kind is called gambling.

The amount of money that you risk is your stake. You can stake a sum of money on something happening. If something is at stake, then it is at risk.

A more formal word for bet is wager: She put a wager of £10 on a horse.

There are a number of informal expressions connected with betting:

• Your best bet would be to look for a part-time job.
• You think Stuart’ll win? Don’t bet on it!
• My granny enjoys having a flutter on the horses.
• I’d put (good) money / bet my life on James getting the job.
• Do you feel like coming to the beach with us? You bet!
• You can also hedge your bets by investing in several companies.
• The odds are the statistical or betting chances of something happening.
• What are the odds of Olivia finishing her course?
• The odds are against her getting that promotion.