quid pro quo

American  

[kwid proh kwoh] / ˈkwɪd proʊ ˈkwoʊ /

noun

PLURAL

quid pro quos, quids pro quo

1. something that is given or taken in return for something else.

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quid pro quo British  

/ ˈkwɪd prəʊ ˈkwəʊ /

noun

1. a reciprocal exchange

2. something given in compensation, esp an advantage or object given in exchange for another

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quid pro quo Cultural  

1. A fair exchange; the phrase is most frequently used in diplomacy: “The Chinese may make some concessions on trade, but they will no doubt demand a quid pro quo, so we must be prepared to make concessions too.” From Latin, meaning “something for something.”

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quid pro quo Idioms  

1. An equal exchange or substitution, as in I think it should be quid pro quo—you mow the lawn and I'll take you to the movies. This Latin expression, meaning “something for something,” has been used in English since the late 1500s.

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Usage

What does quid pro quo mean? Tit for tat. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Or, if you want to get a little fancier, quid pro quo.This is a Latin-derived expression referring to something done for someone in exchange for something of equal value in return.

Etymology

Origin of quid pro quo

First recorded in 1555–65; Latin quid prō quō, literally, “what for what, something for something”; pro ¹ , quiddity , status quo

Compare meaning

How does quid-pro-quo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• quid pro quo vs. bribery

Example Sentences

“To use the language we use today, a quid pro quo was agreed upon,” Scheinfeld said.

From New York Times

What he got for helping his son in the quid pro quo with USC actually benefited his constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

Queried on if there was a "quid pro quo" owed to the U.S. flowing from the submarines deal, Marles said: "Absolutely not".

From Reuters

“The people who put you on trial are politically connected, and so are the people who arrest you. So, everything is quid pro quo: ‘You leave alone my misdemeanors, and I’ll ignore yours.’”

From New York Times

One official described it as “a constructive, diplomatic but very candid dialogue” that did not entail any quid pro quo but allowed the Biden administration to share its “view of the world” with Maduro.

From Seattle Times