P

[promise the moon]  {v. phr.}

To promise something impossible.

A politician who promises the moon during a campaign loses the voters' respect.

I can't promise you the moon, but I'll do the best job I can.

Compare: [ASK FOR THE MOON].

[proof of the pudding is in the eating]

Only through actual experience can the value of something be tested. — A proverb.

* /He was intrigued by the ads about the new high mileage sports cars. "Drive one, sir," the salesman said. "The proof of the  […]

[prune]

See: [FULL OF BEANS] or [FULL OF PRUNES].

[psych out]  {v. phr.},  {slang},  {informal}

1. To find out the real motives of (someone).

Sue sure has got Joe psyched out.

2. To go berserk; to lose one's nerve.

* /Joe says he doesn't ride his motorcycle on the highway anymore because he's  […]

[psyched up]  {adj.},  {informal}

Mentally alert; ready to do something.

[public]

See:

[AIR ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC] or [WASH ONE'S DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC],

[IN PUBLIC],

[IN THE PUBLIC EYE].

[Public]

See: [JOHN Q. PUBLIC].

[public enemy]  {n. phr.}

A famous criminal.

[public speaker]  {n.}

A person who speaks to the public.

[public-address system]  {n.}

A set of devices for making a speaker's voice louder so that he can be heard by more people.

The public-address system broke down during the senator's speech.