pop the question Definition

pop¹
noun

1. A sharp explosive noise, like that of a cork coming out of a bottle.

Thesaurus: explosion, report, noise, crack, bang, burst, snap.
(especially N Amer)
2. colloq
Any sweet non-alcoholic fizzy drink such as ginger beer.

verb popped, popping

tr & intr
1. To make or cause something to make a pop.

Thesaurus: explode, burst, bang, crack, report, go off, go bang, snap.
tr & intr
2. To burst with a pop.

Example: The balloon popped and landed at my feet
3. To spring out or up; to protrude.

Form: pop out (especially)
Form: pop up
intr
4. colloq
To go quickly in a direction specified.
Example: I'll just pop next door for a second
5. colloq
To put something somewhere quickly or briefly.
Example: just pop it in the oven
6. slang
To pawn.
7. drug-taking slang
To take or inject (a drug).

adverb

1. With a pop.

Idiom: pop the question

humorous, colloq
To propose marriage.

Etymology: 16c as verb sense 1; 14c in obsolete sense ‘to knock': imitating the sound.

Phrasal Verb: pop off

To leave quickly or suddenly.To die.

Phrasal Verb: pop up

To appear or occur, especially unexpectedly. See also pop-up.

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question
noun

1a. A written or spoken sentence that is worded in such a way as to request information or an answer;

Thesaurus: inquiry, query, interrogation, inquisition, catechism; Antonym: answer, reply.
1b. The interrogative sentence or other form of words in which this is expressed.
2. A doubt or query.

Example: raises questions about their loyalty
3. A problem or difficulty.

Example: the Northern Ireland question
4. A problem set for discussion or solution in an examination paper, etc.

Thesaurus: topic, subject, theme, problem, thesis.
5. An investigation or search for information.
6. A matter, concern or issue.

Example: a question of safety

verb questioned, questioning

1. To ask someone questions; to interrogate them.

Thesaurus: ask, inquire, interview, probe, interrogate, query, grill, pump.
2. To raise doubts about something; to query it.

Thesaurus: doubt, challenge, impugn, dispute, suspect.

Derivative: questioner
noun

Someone who asks a question or questions
Thesaurus: inquirer, examiner, inquisitor, interrogator, doubter, skeptic.

Derivative: questionless
adj

Idiom: be only a question of something (be just, simply etc a question of something)

To be a situation, case or matter of a specified thing.
Example: It's just a question of time
Example: It's a question of whether or not he'll remember

Idiom: beg the question

See under beg.

Idiom: beyond question

Not in doubt; beyond doubt.

Idiom: call something in question (call something into question)

To suggest reasons for doubting its validity or truth, etc.

Idiom: in question

Presently under discussion or being referred to.
Example: was away at the time in question

In doubt.
Example: Her ability is not in question

Idiom: no question of something

No possibility or intention of it.

Idiom: out of the question

Impossible and so not worth considering.

Idiom: pop the question

See under pop¹.

Idiom: without question

Unhesitatingly.

Etymology: 13c: from French questiun, from Latin quaestio, from quaerere to ask.