burning question

burning question

An important, and perhaps scandalous, question that requires an answer. If Fred lied about his alibi, then the burning question is: what is he trying to hide?
See also: burning, question
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

burning question

 and the burning question
Fig. a question whose answer is of great interest to everyone; a question that needs very much to be answered, as a fire needs to be extinguished. There's a burning question that needs to be answered: Why did you leave your wife of only one month?
See also: burning, question
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

burning question

An urgent or crucial issue under heated discussion. For example, Real estate taxes are always a burning question for the town leaders. This term has exact equivalents in French ( question brûlante) and German ( brennende Frage). [Mid-1800s]
See also: burning, question
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

burning question, the

A pressing, urgent, or crucial issue. The term comes from the nineteenth century and relates particularly to the discussion of important public issues. There are versions in French and German, but in English one of the best-known examples is Benjamin Disraeli’s use of it— “the burning question of the day”—in a speech in the House of Commons in 1873.
See also: burning
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • burning question, the
  • the million-dollar question
  • poop
  • Do bears crap in the woods?
  • Do bears poop in the woods?
  • Does a bear crap in the woods?
  • Does a bear poop in the woods?
  • Is water wet?
References in classic literature
She did not refer to the burning question at all, but she chatted amiably of other matters, and Gilbert understood that he was forgiven under protest.
Annes House of Dreams
Thence it was but a step to the burning question of the day; and in tones a little shaken, she commented on the interval since she had last made tea for the prodigal, and congratulated him on his return.
Tales and Fantasies
It was a great deal to ask of a fledgling morality that was yet scarcely cognizant of its untried wings; but even as the man wavered between right and wrong there crept into his mind the one great and burning question of his life--had he a soul?
The Monster Men
From end to end of our island the question of religion was the burning question of the day.
English Literature For Boys And Girls
As she makes new friends and encounters magical creatures, Mary has one burning question: where is the location of her uncle's secret garden, and where has he hidden the key?
Open air theatre
Was it important to visit these countries by spending Nepali tax-payers' money, it is a burning question. Specially, Oli is visiting London at a time when British Prime Minister Theresa May has already announced her resignation and the British parliament is going to elect a new prime minister.
PM Oli's junket to European countries
Having no Proper Career Counseling has become a burning question for the students.
A burning question
With Apple (AAPL) shares down nearly a third in the past three months and the financial guidance bombshell earlier this year, the burning question turns to what the company can do to spark a turnaround, Tae Kim writes in this week's edition of Barron's.
Apple should buy Nintendo, Barron's says
Taking and selling drugs is a burning question especially in Turbat where selling of illegal product is very much common and majority of the people are victimized by the dangerous drugs.
Selling Drugs
For the past three seasons, the burning question fans have is: Who committed the murder?
'How To Get Away With Murder' Creator Teases Season 4 Mystery
HAVE you got a burning question about North Wales you want answered but don't know who to ask?
#ASKDAILYPOST
CD's summer issue is a hot number, with a focus section devoted to the burning question of Basic Income.
Hot summer offerings
One burning question has to be a solution for the Marton Crawl, as we all know it.
...and some answers
presidential campaigns pick up pace and the contenders advance their platforms, Muslims and Arabs have for the first time become a burning question, especially when the leading Republican candidate, Donald Trump, has made banning the entry of all Muslims to the U.S.
Face affront with clout
"We want anyone who has ever wanted to know what happens at a mosque or has a burning question they want to ask to come along," said community outreach manager Mohammed Alamgir Ahmed.
Mosque will opens doors to public