"With a lick and a promise" is an idiom that means to do something quickly and sloppily without much effort or attention. Some of the synonyms for this phrase include "hastily," "carelessly," "superficially," "rushed," and "negligently." These words point towards a lack of thoroughness and attention to detail. Other possible substitutions include "slapdash," "haphazardly," "indifferently," "cursorily," and "lightly." Whether it's cleaning a room, completing a task, or even performing a job, using these synonyms instead of "with a lick and a promise" will help communicate the urgency and hastiness of the situation, and the less-than-perfect quality of the result.