breach of promise

Noun

breach of promise (countable and uncountable, plural breaches of promise)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see breach, promise.
   • In all such cases, the wrongful act, is the refusal to pay the money, according to promise; and this breach of promise, is laid in what is called the common breach or conclusion, at the end of the whole declaration.1839, Hugh Davey Evans, Maryland Common Law Practice, page 142
2. A tort in common law arising when a man withdraws an earlier promise to marry a woman; abolished in many jurisdictions.
   • But suppose an agreement to marry made by a man in Scotland with a minor lady in England, would we decern for damages for breach of promise in such a case?1828, Scotland Court of Session, Session Cases: Cases Decided in the Court of Session, volume 6, page 416
   • A ‘breach of promise’ case being 'played out in the courts' was covered over three consecutive days and given substantial prominence especially on the commercial channels' bulletins (this was the last ‘breach of promise case’ in the state of Victoria, which may account for the sustained coverage).1998, John Langer, Tabloid Television: Popular Journalism and the ‘Other News’, page 97