status quo
[ kwoh ]
/ kwoʊ /
noun
the existing state or condition.
RELATED CONTENT
What Is Whisky Tango Foxtrot And Other Army LingoGiven the size and manpower of the US Army, it's no surprise that its lingo has gradually invaded everyday conversation. Not many of us keep a Purple Heart framed on our desk, though (i.e., we have no idea what these words and phrases mean even though we hear them all the time).
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
Origin of status quo
First recorded in 1825–35, status quo is from the Latin word status quō literally, state in which
Also called status in quo.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for status quo
Those of you in status-quo positions take a more pro-active approach to career.
British Dictionary definitions for status quo
status quo
/ (kwəʊ) /
noun
the status quo the existing state of affairs
Word Origin for status quo
literally: the state in which
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for status quo
status quo
1833, from Latin status quo "the state in which," hence "existing state of affairs." Also status quo ante "the state in which before, state of affairs previous" (1877).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Culture definitions for status quo
status quo
The existing order of things; present customs, practices, and power relations: “People with money are often content with the status quo.” From Latin, meaning “the state in which.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with status quo
status quo
The existing condition or state of affairs, as in We don't want to admit more singers to the chorus; we like the status quo. This term, Latin for “state in which,” has been used in English since the early 1800s.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.