PRO TEMPORE

'Pro tempore' or 'pro tem' is a Latin phrase which best translates to "for the time being" in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a ''locum tenens'' (placeholder) in the absence of a superior, such as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. It is also commonly used in a general sense to refer to a situation where the length of time is indeterminate, e.g. "I'll be in the library pro tem" and "Put me on the watchlist pro tem".