beau geste

[boh zhest]

French.

plural

beaux gestes 

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.

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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.

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

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"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.

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

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