question // noun, verb

■ noun

SCALED QUESTION

1 [C]

a sentence, phrase or word that asks for information:

If something doesn't make sense, it's important to ask questions.

Advisors are available to answer clients' questions.

The key question of who is responsible for the accident remains unanswered.

❖ to answer/ask a question

2 [C]

a matter that needs to be discussed or dealt with:

The report raises difficult questions about the company's environmental policies.

The government will have to address the question of tax reform.

SYN ISSUE

❖ to address/deal with/face/tackle a question

◆ to bring up/pose/raise a question

◆ a difficult/an important/a key question

3 [U]

doubt about sth:

His suitability for the job is open to question.

Good managers don't issue orders that people must obey without question.

IDIOMS

bring/call/throw sth into question

to cause sth to become a matter for doubt and discussion:

Although he's very creative, his management skills have been called into question.

This resignation throws the leadership of the company into question.

The idea that we are entering a period of economic recovery has been called into question.

The chairman's remarks brought his impartiality into question.

in question

1

that is being discussed:

The amount in question is understood to be between $30m and $35m.

The person in question no longer works in this department.

2

in doubt; uncertain:

The stability of the economy remains in question.

The future of public transport is not in question.

out of the question

impossible or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing:

Another strike is not out of the question.

A month ago, a merger seemed out of the question.

there is/was no question of (sth happening/sb doing sth)

there is/was no possibility of sth:

There is no question of the chief executive resigning.

There was no question of a fall in prices.

■ verb [+ obj]

1 question sb (about/on sth)

to ask sb questions about sth, especially officially:

Investigators have questioned the company's accountants.

Over half of those questioned said they rarely took any exercise.

Mr Lee was cautious when questioned about a possible takeover bid.

2

to have or express doubts or suspicions about sth:

Analysts questioned whether shareholders would benefit from the deal.

Economists questioned the reliability of the data.

SYN QUERY

• redeem
• redeemable
• redefine
• redemption
• redemption yield
• redeploy
• redesign
• redevelop
• red-eye
• red goods
• red-hot
• redial
• red ink
• redirect
• rediscount
• redistribute
• redistributive
• redline
• redraft
• redress
• red tape
• reduce
• reducing balance method
• reduction
• redundancy