1. Home
2. Idioms
3. pro

pro

---

---

quid pro quo

A favor done for someone in exchange for a favor in return. This Latin phrase means "something for something." You wash my car, and I'll drop off your dry cleaning—quid pro quo. Our company has a specific policy against quid pro quo, to prevent unfair treatment and harassment.

See also: pro, quid, quo

pros and cons

advantages and disadvantages We've been discussing the pros and cons of buying a house.

See also: and, con, pro

the pros and cons

the good and bad parts of a situation, or the reasons why you should or should not do something

Usage notes: This phrase comes from the Latin words 'pro', which means 'for' and 'contra' which means 'against'.

(often + of ) We've been discussing the pros and cons of buying a house.

See also: and, con, pro

a quid pro quo

  (formal)

something that you do for someone or give to someone when they have agreed to do something for you

Usage notes: This is a Latin phrase which means 'something for something'.

(often + for ) The government's commitment to release political prisoners is a quid pro quo for the suspension of armed struggle by the rebels.

See also: pro, quid, quo

pros and cons

Arguments or considerations for and against something, as in We'd best weigh all the pros and cons before we decide to add a new wing to the library. This idiom is taken from the Latin pro for "for" and con for "against." [Late 1500s]

See also: and, con, pro

quid pro quo

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.

See also: pro, quid, quo

pro

1. n. a professional (at anything); someone as good as a professional. When it comes to typing, he’s a pro.

2. mod. professional. I hope to play pro ball next year.

3. n. a prostitute. Do you think she’s a pro or just overly friendly?