APAD: Leaves without figs.

Leaves without figs.

The idiom means a show of promise without fulfillment, or words without deeds. It comes from the biblical story of Jesus cursing a fig tree that had leaves but no fruit, which served as a parable about spiritual emptiness behind a religious appearance. 

 The phrase refers to something that looks good on the outside but lacks substance or genuine content. It can describe a person or group that appears righteous or religious but lacks true inner faith or good works.

More generally, it can mean a promise was made but was not kept, or that words and actions do not align. 

The origin of  "leaves without figs" refers to a biblical story about Jesus finding a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, even though it was not technically fig season, was an object lesson. The tree symbolized the religious leaders who appeared righteous on the outside but lacked true spiritual fruit. The cursing of the tree served as a warning that there are consequences for being spiritually barren and for presenting a false religious image.