an open question

open question

An issue or topic that cannot be readily resolved or decided; a question that has a variety of different answers or perspectives. Whether veganism is good for your health is an open question—you'll get a different take depending on whom you ask. How the government should go about dismantling the organization is still something of an open question.
See also: open, question
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

an open ˈquestion

(also open to ˈquestion) a matter that cannot be decided easily or that people hold several different views on: Whether private schools give children a better education is open to question. It’s an open question whether meat is bad for you.
See also: open, question
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

open question, an

An issue that has not been finally settled or determined. The adjective open has been so used since the early nineteenth century. The term acquired a specific meaning in the British Parliament: on open questions members may vote as they wish, independent of party. David Masson used it figuratively, as it often is today: “The summary decision of what had hitherto been an open question in the Church” (The Life of John Milton, 1859).
See also: open
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • open question
  • open question, an
  • shield
  • two sides of a shield
  • two sides of the same shield
  • different sides of the same shield
  • be another matter
  • be another thing
  • be another/a different matter
  • oil and water
References in classic literature
"Aye, aye, make him sit down," said several voices at once, well pleased that the reality of ghosts remained still an open question.
Silas Marner
Miss Miggs, who had fallen into a terrible state of grief when the first part of this sentence was spoken, recovered a little at the second, and seemed by the sudden check she put upon her tears, to intimate that possibly this arrangement might meet her views; and that it might, perhaps, remain an open question.
Barnaby Rudge A Tale Of The Riots Of Eighty
We know that mind has the power to maintain substance even though it may not be able to create substance--the latter is still an open question. And so we know that in order to maintain our physical bodies we must cause all our organs properly to function.
Thuvia Maid of Mars
As Perry had discovered among the writings of her kind in the buried city of Phutra, it was still an open question among the Mahars as to whether man pos-sessed means of intelligent communication or the power of reason.
Pellucidar
The ape-man could not rise, therefore, without pushing the lion away and whether Numa would tolerate being pushed was an open question. Too, the beast might consider him already dead and any movement that indicated the contrary was true would, in all likelihood, arouse the killing instinct of the man-eater.
Tarzan the Untamed
With no business capacity, old and opinionated, he was land poor, and it was an open question which would arrive first, his death or bankruptcy.
The Valley of the Moon
If you asked me for another penny, and made it an open question, I'd repent of being so liberal and knock off half-a-crown.'
Christmas Carol
Analysts suspect Powell will leave that an open question with tomorrow's testimony.
Treasury 2-year auction outlook:
At present, liability coverage attaches to the driver of a car, and it remains an open question as to who would be held liable in the event that an autonomous car causes an accident.
Born to run driverless?
In an interview with Italian newspaper, Illinois Sole 24 Ore, the head of the ECB said it was an open question whether further stimulus was needed.
Mario Draghi says ECB can take action in December
And that has been the problem ever since 1991, when the USSR collapsed and the status of the sea became an open question Iran has always wanted to divide the sea's waters into five equal parts, with each country getting 20 percent.
Caspian drama
Terri Langford writes that how instrumental Perry was in improving it remains an open question.
Ushering in Several Reforms, But Not Always Leading the Charge
In addition, "budget programming remains an open question as we were not able to explain that this sector operates well and is very transparent despite efforts of the Finance Ministry," he said and urged to accomplish the process.
Acting PM Otorbayev suggests to introduce comprehensive public finance management program
And of course, he invited 300 voters along to an open question and answer session.
The Cam sham; RECORD VIEW
Dominic Grieve said it was "an open question" whether the Press should be prosecuted for reporting on MPs who use Parliamentary privilege to breach court orders.
PRESS COMMONS PRIVILEGE THREAT