pop the question
Meaning
To ask someone to marry you; to propose marriage.
Origin
“Pop” has long meant to do something suddenly or casually (to pop in/out, pop up). By the early 1900s, “pop the question” became a euphemism for unexpectedly asking the big question—marriage.
Notes
A friendly, informal euphemism for proposing marriage; “the question” implies “Will you marry me?” Not normally used for other questions.
Examples
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After five years together, he finally popped the question during their trip to Kyoto.
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She knew he was going to pop the question when he started talking about their future and got nervous.
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I was planning to pop the question at dinner, but the restaurant was too crowded and loud.
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When her friends heard he had popped the question, they immediately started planning an engagement party.
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He carried the ring around for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: usually “pop the question” (the article “the” is standard). Verb inflects (popped/popping). Can take “to + person” (“He popped the question to her”) or be used without an object.
Synonyms
- propose
- ask (someone) to marry you
- get down on one knee
Antonyms
- call off the engagement
- break up