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quid pro quo

[ kwid proh kwoh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural quid pro quos, quids pro quo.

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

quid pro quo

/ ˈkwɪd prəʊ ˈkwəʊ /

noun

a reciprocal exchange
something given in compensation, esp an advantage or object given in exchange for another

quid pro quo

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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Word History and Origins

Origin of quid pro quo¹

First recorded in 1555–65; Latin quid prō quō, literally, “what for what, something for something”; pro ¹none, quiddity none, status quo

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Word History and Origins

Origin of quid pro quo¹

C16: from Latin: something for something

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Idioms and Phrases

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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Compare Meanings

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

quid pro quo vs. bribery

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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