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token gesture

[ˈtoʊkən ˈdʒɛstʃər]
nounpl: token gestures
gesto simbólico
1. A small or superficial action intended to appear helpful or sincere but lacking real substance or commitment
The company's donation was merely a token gesture to improve its public image.
A doação da empresa foi apenas um gesto simbólico para melhorar sua imagem pública.
2. A minimal effort made to acknowledge or address something without genuine intent to solve it
Offering a one-day workshop was a token gesture toward addressing the diversity problem.
Oferecer um workshop de um dia foi um gesto simbólico para abordar o problema da diversidade.
NYC Slang
surface-level move
Synonyms
mere gesturesuperficial actionempty gesturecosmetic measurelip service
Antonyms
genuine effortmeaningful actionsincere commitmentsubstantive measure

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
gesto simbólico
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
gesto de fachada
Alternative phrase emphasizing superficiality
Portugal
gesto simbólico
Standard usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

all talk and no action
window dressing
smoke and mirrors
going through the motions
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