break a promise

Meaning

To not do what you said that you would do.

Examples

1. He broke his promise and forgot my birthday. US UK
2. I never break a promise to my children. US UK
3. She felt sad because her friend broke a promise. US UK

How to use it

Remember the three verbs: make a promise, keep a promise, and break a promise. The opposite of break a promise is keep a promise.

Common mistake

Not: She destroyed her promise.
Say: She broke her promise. (Promises are made, kept, or broken.)