Phrase guide

deliver the goods

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To do what was promised or expected.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • The government promised a lot, but failed to deliver the goods.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

attain success or reach a desired goal

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The enterprise succeeded
  • We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
  • she struggled to overcome her handicap and won

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: succeed, win, come through, bring home the bacon

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: hit, pull off, negociate, bring off, carry off, manage, pass, clear, luck out, hit the jackpot, nail down, nail, peg, make it, run, work, act, pan out, achieve, accomplish, attain, reach, arrive, get in, go far

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: täyttää lupauksensa — (informal) to keep one's promises
  • Finnish: toimittaa — (informal) to keep one's promises
  • French: livrer la marchandise — (informal) to keep one's promises
  • Polish: dotrzymywać słowa — (informal) to keep one's promises
  • Polish: dotrzymać słowa — (informal) to keep one's promises