pop the question

Cultural  

1. To “pop the question” is to propose marriage: “They have been going out for so long; I wonder when he'll pop the question.”

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pop the question Idioms  

1. Propose marriage, as in He picked Valentine's Day to pop the question. [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

The luxury marriage proposal business is booming in Paris with international clients happy to pay thousands to pop the question in the most romantic way possible in the City of Love.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

NFL star Kelce is pictured getting down on one knee to pop the question to the world-famous music superstar, gazing into each other's eyes and embracing.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

The NBA star knew since their first trip to the Caribbean island in 2022 that he wanted to pop the question there and began planning the proposal about six months ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

During February, about 10 patrons pop the question each week.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2023

“Don’t worry. He’s not going to pop the question or anything,” I reply coolly, though my pulse quickens.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed