Englishburning question
Meaning: A question that deserves or demands discussion.
Example: “The burning question at the office is who will replace the retiring director.”
Origin: On record from the mid-1800s, with the British statesman Benjamin Disraeli's 1873 reference in the House of Commons to "the burning question of the day" among the better-known early examples. "Burning" for something urgent, pressing, or intensely felt goes back further still, to Middle English brenning (scorching, ardent) in the 1300s, well before it attached specifically to "question." The image works simply enough on its own: a question that genuinely can't wait behaves the way a fire does, demanding immediate attention before it does more damage — no specialized historical event is needed to explain the pairing.
More English idioms
- by hook or by crook By one way or another; by any means possible.
- call a spade a spade To speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant.
- call the shots To be in control or to give orders.
- open a can of worms A situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences.
- carry a torch for someone To be in love with someone, usually someone who does not love in return.
- carry the ball To take on work or responsibility in order to keep a project moving forward.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eline sağlık Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.
- És uma joia You're a gem — a precious, lovely person.
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