next question

next question

I refuse to comment on or have said all that needs to be said about the thing you asked, so move on to the next question. Almost always said as a complete sentence. A: "What do you have to say about these allegations of embezzlement that have been going around lately?" B: "Next question." A: "Sir, you can't dodge this question forever." A: "How are we going to deal with the revenue losses that result from the end of this trade deal?" B: "We'll make sure any such losses are as minimal as possible. Next question."
See also: next, question
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

Next question.

Inf. That is settled, let's move on to something else. (Usually a way of evading further discussion.) Mary: When can I expect this construction noise to stop? Bob: In about a month. Next question. Bill: When will the board of directors raise the dividend again? Mary: Oh, quite soon. Next question.
See also: next, question
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be having none of (something)
  • cat's paw, (be made) a
  • not play that game
  • shuttle
  • shuttle diplomacy
  • back down
  • buy into
  • buy into (something)
  • battle against
  • die on
References in classic literature
"Who are ye, yourself?" was the next question, after a considerable pause.
At that, I made sure the man started, for I heard the blunderbuss rattle on the window-sill; and it was after quite a long pause, and with a curious change of voice, that the next question followed:
"I know; but what road shall I take?" was the boy's next question.
HAVING shown that no one of the powers transferred to the federal government is unnecessary or improper, the next question to be considered is, whether the whole mass of them will be dangerous to the portion of authority left in the several States.
'What will she do?' was the next question. Many would have deemed it an impertinent one, and given an evasive reply; but such an idea never entered my head, and I gave a brief but plain statement of my mother's plans and prospects.
But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I?
After having established in his own mind what he should NOT have done, the next question was, what he should do, then.
"What share of the spoils am I to have?" was the next question.
"What is your business here?" was the next question.
If she had only pressed them a little further--if she had not unconsciously led me astray again by the very next question that fell from her lips--she must have communicated to my mind the idea obscurely germinating in hers--the idea of a possible identity between the Mary of my first love and Mrs.
'Where have you come from?' was the next question; and this being an easier one to answer, Nell mentioned the name of the village in which their friend the schoolmaster dwelt, as being less likely to be known to the men or to provoke further inquiry.
The formidable entrance of the captain suspended the next question on her lips.
"The next question," he said, "is the question of time.
Doctor Manette was next questioned. His high personal popularity, and the clearness of his answers, made a great impression; but, as he proceeded, as he showed that the Accused was his first friend on his release from his long imprisonment; that, the accused had remained in England, always faithful and devoted to his daughter and himself in their exile; that, so far from being in favour with the Aristocrat government there, he had actually been tried for his life by it, as the foe of England and friend of the United States--as he brought these circumstances into view, with the greatest discretion and with the straightforward force of truth and earnestness, the Jury and the populace became one.
My next questions were now directed to the one object of ascertaining whether Mr.