in question—under consideration; forming the subject of discourse:
- While Dr. Bits really is an authority, he is not an authority on the issue in question.
out of the question—impossible in the circumstances; not worth considering:
- Any effort by the military to defy civilian authority is now out of the question.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase not the question—not the matter; not the point:
- Yes, I heard all you said, but his health is not the question. Is he thoroughly dependable?