phr. (colloquial).—A tit for tat; a ROWLAND FOR AN OLIVER (q.v.): an equivalent. Also QUID FOR QUOD. Cf. QUIP.

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  1565.  J. CALFHILL, An Answer to John Martiall’s Treatise of the Cross [Parker Society] [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 571. Among the Romance words are … QUID PRO QUO, Tom Fool …].

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  1592.  SHAKESPEARE, 1 Henry IV., v. 3. I cry for mercy, ’tis but QUID FOR QUO.

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  1608.  MIDDLETON, A Mad World, my Masters, ii. Let him trap me in gold, and I’ll lap him in lead; QUID PRO QUO.

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  1611.  CHAPMAN, May-Day, i. 2. Women of themselves … would return QUID FOR QUOD still, but we are they that spoil ’em.

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  1772.  BRIDGES, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, 262.

        Unless she lets her conscience go,
And gives the knave a QUID PRO QUO.

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  1820.  COMBE, Dr. Syntax, II. iii.

        I doubt not but I shall be able
With all fair reasoning to bestow
What you will find a QUID PRO QUO.

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  1890.  GRANT ALLEN, The Tents of Shem, x. A QUID PRO QUO, his friend suggested jocosely, emphasising the QUID with a facetious stress.

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