Status in quo

{ ‖Sta″tus in′ quo″ (ĭn′ kwō″), ‖Sta″tus quo″. } The state in which anything is already. The phrase is also used retrospectively, as when, on a treaty of peace, matters return to the status quo ante bellum, or are left in statu quo ante bellum, i.e., the state (or, in the state) before the war.