pray tell

American  

[prey tel] / ˈpreɪ ˈtɛl /

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?

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Etymology

Origin of pray tell

First recorded in 1840–45

Example Sentences

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

From Literature

How, pray tell, will that be, Donny?

From 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.

From BBC

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

From Literature

Pray tell: A perspective for whom, exactly?

From Salon