open question—an issue not yet finally decided that can still be discussed:
- There was no clear resolution on this except to note that this remains an open question.
Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase open to question—used of statements, assertions, etc. that are doubtful and subject to challenge or disagreement:
- The government have always known that the status of these islands is open to question.
open-end question—(also: open-ended question) a question so phrased as to encourage an expression of opinion (as distinguished from a simple negative or affirmative):
- The reading test consists of open-end questions based on different texts of various subjects and length.