In legal usage, quid pro quo indicates that an item or a favour has been traded in return for something of value, usually when the propriety or equity of the transaction is in question. For example, under the common law, a binding contract must involve consideration: that is, the exchange of something of value for something of economic value. If the exchange appears excessively one sided, the court may question whether a quid pro quo exists and the contract may be voidable.
Funny you should ask that ,dckromm.Did you by any chance listen to Bush,s speech about the Iranians holding our soldiers hostage, because he mentioned that term.