breach of promise

a violation of one's promise, especially of a promise to marry a specific person.

Origin of breach of promise

First recorded in 1580–90

She even hinted once—only once, but it was enough—at a breach-of-promise suit and damages.

The Rescue |Anne Douglas Sedgwick
And theyd all bring lawsuits and breach-of-promise acts against me, because I did let them the rooms.

Twos and Threes |G. B. Stern
David, old boy, this picture would make a good exhibit in a breach-of-promise suit.

Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis |H. Irving Hancock
No jury could have muleted him one cent for damages in a breach-of-promise case, and he knew it.

Round the Block |John Bell Bouton

That belongs to yellow-backed penny-dreadfuls and Sunday supplement tales of breach-of-promise suits.

The Gorgeous Girl |Nalbro Bartley

breach of promise

law (formerly) failure to carry out one's promise to marry