Definition
A legal doctrine that enforces promises even without a formal contract when someone reasonably relied on that promise to their detriment. It's the law's way of saying 'you can't just back out of a promise that someone quit their job to accept.'
Example Usage
Even without a signed contract, the court invoked promissory estoppel because I'd already relocated my family for the promised job.
Source: Contract law
Related Terms
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See “promissory estoppel” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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