phrase
Latin
Status Quo
lit. “the state in which”
The existing state of affairs.
Origin
Shortened from 'status quo ante bellum' — the state before the war — a diplomatic term for returning to pre-war borders. Now used in any context where change is being weighed against staying put.
Modern usage
Politics, business, relationships — anywhere a vote of confidence in the present is being challenged.
In the wild
Voters chose the status quo over a riskier change.— political reporting
Tags
politics
change