beau geste

plural beaux gestes · plural beau gestes

1. A gracious gesture that is noble in form but often futile or meaningless in substance.

   Real estate ventures provide opportunities for beau gestes that result in comfort and convenience.

   1982, Jean Baer, “The Jewish Elite Way of Life”, in The Self-Chosen: “Our Crowd” Is Dead, Long Live Our Crowd, New York, N.Y.: Arbor House, →ISBN, part 2 (Who’s Who), page 336

   2 more examples

   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.

   1920, “The Zionist Congresses”, in G. W. Prothero, editor, Zionism

   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 […]

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