gentlemen's agreement

or gentleman's agreement


noun

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

Origin of gentlemen's agreement

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

British Dictionary definitions for gentlemen's agreement

gentlemen's agreement

gentleman's agreement


noun

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