gentlemen's agreement

Or gentleman's agreement

noun

1. an agreement that, although unenforceable at law, is binding as a matter of personal honor.

2. an unwritten agreement by a socially prominent clique, private club, etc., to discriminate against or refuse to accept members of certain religious, racial, national, or other groups.

gentlemen's agreement

noun

1. a personal understanding or arrangement based on honour and not legally binding

Word History and Origins

Origin of gentlemen's agreement¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90