pray tell

[prey tel]

verb phrase

1. (used to emphasize a request for information, often to suggest that the answer is either obvious or unknowable).

   You say there is no moon, but what, pray tell, rises in the sky every night?

   Just what, pray tell, do those people actually do?

Word History and Origins

Origin of pray tell¹

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

“And how are the woofs going to take us to Bertha, pray tell?”

Read more on Literature

How, pray tell, will that be, Donny?

Read more on Salon

Actor Billy Porter, best known for his role as Pray Tell in Pose, also received an award on the night in recognition of his work on stage and screen and for raising awareness of HIV prevention.

Read more on BBC

“And what, pray tell, are you implying?” the wolf growled softly.

Read more on Literature

Pray tell: A perspective for whom, exactly?

Read more on Salon