beg the question

beg the question
{v. phr.}, {literary} To accept as true something that is still being argued about, before it is proved true; avoid or not answer a question or problem. * /The girls asked Miss Smith if they should wear formal dresses to the party; Miss Smith said they were begging the question because they didn't know yet if they could get permission for a party./ * /Laura told Tom that he must believe her argument because she was right. Father laughed and told Laura she was begging the question./ Compare: TAKE FOR GRANTED.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • beg the question — means, strictly speaking, to question an unproved assumption that is used as the basis for an argument. For example, to ask ‘why do you listen to that rubbish?’ begs the question when the quality of the music is the point at issue. In general use …   Modern English usage

  • beg the question — In philosophy to beg the question is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • beg the question — ► beg the question 1) (of a fact or action) invite a question or point that has not been dealt with. 2) assume the truth of a proposition without arguing it. Main Entry: ↑beg …   English terms dictionary

  • beg the question — 1. To avoid giving an answer 2. To assume that the thing to be proved is already true in one of the premises, or in part of the proof (logic) 3. To raise an issue for debate (non standard) • • • Main Entry: ↑beg …   Useful english dictionary

  • Beg the Question — is a graphic novel by Bob Fingerman. It chronicles the trials and tribulations of Rob, a squeamish freelance cartoonist/pornographer, and Sylvia, a beauty salon manager with loftier aspirations, with a supporting cast featuring Jack, an unhappily …   Wikipedia

  • beg the question — index prevaricate Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • beg the question —    In philosophy to beg the question is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • beg the question — verb a) To engage in the logical fallacy of begging the question (petitio principii). The objection is that the argument begs the question, meaning that the premise, that God has all the virtues, assumes the conclusion, that God is benevolent. b) …   Wiktionary

  • beg the question — 1. if a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question. It s all very well talking about extra staff but it rather begs the question of how we re going to pay for them. 2. if something that someone says begs… …   New idioms dictionary

  • beg the question — 1) to make you want to know the answer to a particular question If she got caught stealing money and she s still here, it begs the question: What would she have to do to get fired? 2) formal to discuss a problem, issue, or fact as if it… …   English dictionary

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