beau geste

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French beau geste (literally “beautiful gesture”).

Noun

beau geste (plural beaux gestes)

1. A gracious gesture, noble in form but often futile or meaningless in substance.
   • 1920, “The Zionist Congresses”, in G. W. Prothero, editor, Zionism:

     Chamberlain's offer was enthusiastically welcomed by a section of the Zionists and by all with gratitude. It was a beau geste on the part of the Government, and a recognition that Herzl and his following were regarded seriously in serious quarters.

   • 1988, William Manchester, The Last Lion, volume 2, page 635:

     In a magnificent beau geste, the destroyer, hopelessly trapped, turned as if to flee, threw out a smoke screen, and when the [enemy ship] charged into it, rammed her at flank speed […]

Translations

gracious gesture, noble in form but often futile or meaningless in substance

• Icelandic: (fake benevolence) uppgerðargóðvild f, (pretentious magnanimity) sýndardrengskapur m, (a noble act) göfugmannlegt verk n, (an honourable deed) drengskaparbragð n