noun

quid pro quo

kwid proh KWOH

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Quid pro quo (noun) means a favour, advantage or payment given in return for something else, on the understanding that each side gets something from the exchange. Example: “The tax break was a quid pro quo for building the factory locally.”

noun

A favour, advantage or payment given in return for something else, on the understanding that each side gets something from the exchange.

"The tax break was a quid pro quo for building the factory locally."

"He'll help you, but there's always a quid pro quo."

adjective

legal Describing conduct in which a benefit is conditioned on something being given in return, especially where that makes it unlawful.

"The complaint alleges quid pro quo harassment by a supervisor."

"Prosecutors must show a quid pro quo, not merely a friendly relationship."

How to use quid pro quo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishYou give me something, I give you something back.

When to use it

Formal to neutral; common in law, politics and business.

Memory tip

Don't confuse it with "status quo", which means the existing state of affairs.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

reciprocity → bribery → non sequitur → status quo →

Common pairings

a clear quid pro quo quid pro quo arrangement quid pro quo harassment no quid pro quo

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tax break was a _____ for building the factory locally.

Etymology

Latin for 'something for something'. It originally referred to substituting one medicine for another, and later came to mean an equivalent given in exchange.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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trade-off exchange reciprocal arrangement tit for tat consideration

Related words

thought market trade attention consider condition sale exchange

Rhymes for quid pro quo

duo Luo quo Guo Kuo Huo Kazuo Haruo Yasuo Tetsuo Banquo

See all rhymes for quid pro quo →

Frequently asked questions

Is a quid pro quo illegal?

Not usually — ordinary contracts are quid pro quo arrangements, and the law calls the exchanged value "consideration". It becomes illegal when the thing traded should not be for sale, as in bribery of officials or in quid pro quo sexual harassment, where a job benefit is conditioned on sexual conduct.

What is the difference between quid pro quo and reciprocity?

A quid pro quo is a specific, usually explicit exchange agreed at the time: you do this, I do that. Reciprocity is the broader social norm of returning good with good over time, with no stated terms and no fixed price.

What is the plural of quid pro quo?

Quid pro quos is standard in English. The Latinate quids pro quo exists but sounds affected in ordinary writing.

What is the meaning of quid pro quo?

"quid pro quo" (noun) means a favour, advantage or payment given in return for something else, on the understanding that each side gets something from the exchange.

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thought market trade attention consider condition sale exchange