beg the question

Cultural  

1. To assume what has still to be proved: “To say that we should help the region's democratic movement begs the question of whether it really is democratic.”

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beg the question Idioms  

1. Take for granted or assume the truth of the very thing being questioned. For example, Shopping now for a dress to wear to the ceremony is really begging the question—she hasn't been invited yet. This phrase, whose roots are in Aristotle's writings on logic, came into English in the late 1500s. In the 1990s, however, people sometimes used the phrase as a synonym of “ask the question” (as in The article begs the question: “What are we afraid of?”).

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Example Sentences

"But the fact that we do have different sizes it you know it begs the question if there is some social differentiation sitting behind that," he said.

From BBC

He is one of the most prominent of the next generation of tabla players poised to take the next step for their instrument, begging the question of whence tabla.

From Los Angeles Times

Which begs the question as to where this leaves England as they look ahead to the World Cup, primarily to be held in Australia, 12 months from now.

From BBC

The Rangers' motto is "READY", which has begged the question - ready for what?

From BBC

It begs the question - the first of many - what changed?

From BBC

Related Words

• avoid
• bypass
• circumvent
• conceal
• deceive
• dodge
• elude
• escape
• fend off
• flee
• get around
• hide
• sidestep