pro bono
For free. From Latin, literally "for the good." Is there any way we can get Dr. Stuart to do the surgery pro bono? It would save this little girl's life, but her family just doesn't have the money to pay for it. Our law firm is going to represent this group of customers pro bono. It's not right that all these giant corporations think they can just walk all over common folk.
pro forma
Done as a formality. From Latin, literally "for the sake of form." A: "What exactly happens in a pro forma session of Congress?" B: "They just meet for a few minutes because they are technically in session. No one votes or anything." Please, this is just some pro forma PR statement so companies won't drop him from their payroll.
pro tip
A piece of advice from an expert or professional. The phrase is often used humorously to introduce unnecessary or obvious advice. Pro tip: keep the knife away from your fingers when you chop vegetables. The plumber gave me a few pro tips to fix that problem if it happens again.
pro-choice
In favor of a woman's right to have access to legal abortion. Yeah, I'm pro-choice. I just don't think the government should have any say over what women do with their bodies.
pro-life
Opposed to abortion. Yeah, I'm pro-life. Someone has to protect the life of the unborn, right?
pros and cons
The various positive ("pros") and negative ("cons") aspects of something; the advantages or disadvantages of something. Any time I have to make a tough decision, I take a moment to consider the pros and cons. There are of course both pros and cons to this approach, but we feel that the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives.
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.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
When the world changes and becomes strange, those who were previously outside the standards of normality will have an opportunity to become successful. Coined by Hunter S. Thompson in his 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. A: "Why do you think your chaotic style of music is resonating with people so much right now?" B: "Because we're living in chaotic times. What can I say, when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Conspiracy theories always thrive in times of political upheaval or instability. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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]
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
quid pro quo
Tit for tat; in law, a consideration (payment). These Latin words, literally meaning “this for that,” have been used in this way since Shakespeare’s time. Indeed, he used it in Henry VI, Part 1, when Margaret tells the Earl of Suffolk, “I cry you mercy, ’tis but quid pro quo” (5.3).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer