gentleman's agreement
A legally non-binding arrangement that is guaranteed only by a verbal or mutually understood agreement by the parties involved. Though my father left me his entire estate in his will, I made a gentleman's agreement with my brother to share the wealth equally between us. Fellows, you do realize that I have no obligation to honor a gentleman's agreement, right? I know you trust him, but I'd still get him to sign something. A gentleman's agreement won't get you anywhere in court.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
a gentleman's agreement
or a gentlemen's agreement
A gentleman's agreement or a gentlemen's agreement is an informal agreement that is not written down but in which people trust one another to do what they have promised. We had no contract; it was done by a gentleman's agreement. I'm hoping we can come to a gentlemen's agreement, Colonel.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
a gentleman's agreement
an arrangement or understanding which is based on the trust of both or all parties, rather than being legally binding. 1991 Charles Anderson Grain: Entrepreneurs There had been a ‘gentleman's agreement’ by the Grain Growers not to enter the markets of Saskatchewan Wheat Pool's predecessor.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
a ˌgentleman’s aˈgreement
(also a ˌgentlemen’s aˈgreement) an agreement, a contract, etc. in which nothing is written down because both people trust each other not to break it: ‘Why don’t you tell him you don’t want to sell it now?’ ‘I can’t possibly. It was a gentleman’s agreement and I must keep to it.’Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017