status quo

American  

[kwoh] / kwoʊ /

noun

1. the existing state or condition.

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status quo British  

/ kwəʊ /

noun

1. the existing state of affairs

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status quo Cultural  

1. 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.”

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status quo Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of status quo

First recorded in 1825–35, status quo is from Latin status quō literally, “state in which”

Example Sentences

Under the status quo, most disputes about faculty expression are subject to a case-by-case balancing of interests under the high court’s Pickering standard.

From The Wall Street Journal

He spoke at length about the role of art in a free society, discussing its functions of challenging the status quo and holding a mirror to the nation’s strengths, as well as its flaws.

From Salon

True punk, as in the music genre, teaches us about camaraderie and self-expression that challenges the status quo.

From Salon

"Any change to the status quo must be peaceful and mutually agreed upon. The German government calls for restraint and dialogue."

From Barron's

He also said that his administration was committed to "maintaining the status quo" and would not provoke China - though he added that peace relies on "real strength".

From BBC

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status