beau geste

[ boh zhest ]

French.

, plural beaux gestes [boh , zhest].

1. a fine or noble gesture, often futile or only for effect.

beau geste

/ bo ʒɛst /

noun

1. a noble or gracious gesture or act, esp one that is meaningless

Word History and Origins

Origin of beau geste¹

literally: beautiful gesture

Example Sentences

Karla: While opening his home was a beau geste on your friend’s part, closing the door to his boss guest is easier said than done.

From Washington Post

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama’s penchant for the beau geste carries a high price for Americans, not to mention other, less fortunate citizens of the world.

From Wall Street Journal

Still, in city politics, even the beau geste can be fraught.

From New York Times

"It wasn't a beau geste," Laurent Jalabert, the retired French grand tour winner who now commentates for TV, said as last night's stage ended.

From The Guardian

The American flung his empty M-1 in the faces of forty Japanese ... toujours le beau geste.

From Project Gutenberg