a burning question — pressing or urgent question
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
an important question that people are very eager to have answered, often because it is controversial, unresolved, or has significant consequences
Say it like a native
Textbook This is a question of the utmost urgency that demands resolution.
Native So here's the burning question.
'Burning question' is the natural collocation for a pressing one; the formal paraphrase is heavy.
Pattern: a burning question (about/of something)
In use
- The burning question is whether the company will survive after the scandal.communication
- One burning question in education today is how to balance technology use with traditional teaching methods.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It's a burning hot question for everyone.
✓ It's a burning question for everyone.
'Burning question' is the fixed phrase — don't add 'hot'.
Common collocations
burning + question— the burning question, a burning issue, burning desire, begs the question
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'an important question' (B2), 'a burning question' suggests urgency, controversy, or intense curiosity. It is not used for routine or factual questions.