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

The tyranny of the status quo isn’t ending.

From MarketWatch

“In short, you are sick of the status quo,” she said, “Well, guess what, guys, so am I.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s about kids rejecting the status quo that’s been fed to them by the adult world around them.

From Los Angeles Times

But we must agree that the status quo is untenable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Head coach Eddie Howe believes Newcastle United can still achieve "great things" despite the constraints of financial rules as his side look to upset the Premier League's status quo.

From BBC

Related Words

• state of affairs
• status