beg the question

beg the question

1. if a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question. It's all very well talking about extra staff but it rather begs the question of how we're going to pay for them.

2. if something that someone says begs the question, it suggests that something is true which might in fact be false. We're assuming, are we, that Anthony will still be in charge this time next year? That rather begs the question, doesn't it?

See also: beg, question

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beg the question

1. to cause a particular question to be asked. Cyber adventurers can even climb a mountain, which begs the question of how can someone at a keyboard take a hike?

2. to fail to answer a particular question. Everyone agrees we have to cut spending, but this proposal begs the question, What do we cut?

See also: beg, question