question (redirected from coming into question)

be out of the question

if something is out of the question, it is not possible or not allowed. A trip to New Zealand is out of the question this year.

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

call something into question (formal)

to cause a feeling of doubt about something. The report's findings call into question the safety and effectiveness of all such drugs.

See also: call

pop the question (informal)

to ask someone to marry you. So we were having dinner in this Italian restaurant and that's when he popped the question. Do you think he's going to pop the question then, Kath?

See also: pop

a question mark over something

1. if there is a question mark over something, no one knows whether it will continue to exist in the future or what will happen to it. Neither company has performed well over the last year and there's a question mark over their long-term survival. A question mark hangs over the future of the whole project.

2. a feeling of doubt about the ability or quality of something. The recent spate of government scandals has left a question mark over their ability to govern.

See also: mark, over

the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question (informal, informal)

an important or difficult question which people do not know the answer to. So will she marry him or not? - that's the sixty-four-thousand-dollar 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

beyond question

not in doubt. His personal courage was beyond question.

See also: beyond

call into question something

to cause doubt about something. The study calls into question how long the vaccine gives protection.

See also: call

in question

not very certain. Are you saying that the usefulness of this test is in question?

without question

no questions asked

without providing additional information. If you have enough money, you can get a loan at the bank, no questions asked. There is a reward for the return of the violin, no questions asked.

Usage notes: often used when you could not expect to get anything except by agreeing to this condition: The police will pay $100 for every gun turned in, no questions asked.

See also: ask

out of the question

not possible. A trip to New Zealand is out of the question this year.

pop the question

1. to ask someone to marry you. I remember he popped the question while we were eating ice cream.

2. to ask about something that is very important. So then I pop the question, When do you expect this to happen?

See also: pop

without question

certainly. The Lightning are the team that without question will be embarrassed in their opening game.

in question

See also: without