Example: She decided to challenge the status quo at work today.
Definition
"To challenge the status quo" means to question or oppose the existing state of affairs or accepted norms, often with the intention of bringing about change or improvement. It involves resisting conventional practices or beliefs in order to promote innovation or reform.
Translations
cuestionar el orden establecido
de status quo uitdagen
qüestionar l'ordre establert
remettre en cause le statu quo
den Status quo hinterfragen
Etymology
The phrase "to challenge the status quo" originates from Latin, where 'status quo' means 'the state in which.' 'Status quo' was adopted into English to describe the existing condition or situation. The term 'challenge' comes from Old French 'challengier,' meaning to accuse or dispute. Together, they form a phrase encouraging questioning or contesting the current state of things.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To challenge the status quo" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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