an open question
Preserved but no longer current.
A statement, proposal, doctrine, or supposed fact, respecting which private opinion is allowed. In the House of Commons every member may vote as he likes, regardless of party politics, on an open ques- tion.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “an open question” mean?
A statement, proposal, doctrine, or supposed fact, respecting which private opinion is allowed. In the House of Commons every member may vote as he likes, regardless of party politics, on an open ques- tion.
Is “an open question” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.