that is the question
The crucial uncertainty
The phrase that is the question signals the core issue or central dilemma under consideration.
It comes from Hamlet's famous soliloquy—"To be or not to be, that is the question"—and now appears after any either/or choice, often humorously: To nap or not to nap, that is the question.
The construction frames a decision as momentous, even when it isn't.
- hamletTiny rural settlement
- to be or not to beExistential dilemma phrased dramatically
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
- tragic heroCharacter whose flaw causes ruin
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
moral dilemma · ponder · existential · human condition · doubt · debate · contemplate · wonder · philosophical · deep thought · musing · riddle · uncertainty · deliberate · puzzle · soul-searching · hesitation · quandary
that is the questionof no consequence
Lacking any significance
splitting hairs · who cares · quibbling · so what · small potatoes
question, quest, questions, questioning, questioned, questioner, questionable, inquest, request