gentleman's agreement
1
an agreement that is based on the mutual trust of the parties, which is of no legal value
The idiom "gentleman's agreement" originated from the societal norms and customs prevalent among gentlemen in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It refers to an informal and unwritten understanding or arrangement between two parties, typically men, based on trust, honor, and integrity. The phrase is now used to emphasize the reliance on mutual respect and good faith, where a handshake or verbal agreement is considered binding, without the need for legal documentation or formal contracts.
- The business partners reached a gentleman's agreement to split the profits equally, even though it was not officially documented.
- The neighbors had a gentleman's agreement to take turns mowing the shared lawn, without the need for a formal schedule.
- The football clubs had a gentleman's agreement not to approach each other's star players during the transfer window.
- The two authors had a gentleman's agreement to acknowledge each other's contributions in their respective books, despite not specifying it in writing.
- The diplomats reached a gentleman's agreement on the disputed border, based on trust and mutual understanding, rather than a legally binding treaty.