beau geste

American  

[boh zhest] / boʊ ˈʒɛst /

French.

plural

beaux gestes

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

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beau geste British  

/ bo ʒɛst /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of beau geste

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

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

Ignorant people say they are hysterical, and over117 passionate—They are nothing of the kind—They believe in material things, and in the "beau geste."

From Project Gutenberg