a moot point — debatable or irrelevant point
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
an issue or question that people can argue about, but which is no longer important or relevant to the situation; something that doesn't really affect the outcome anymore.
Say it like a native
Textbook That question is now rendered academic and devoid of practical consequence.
Native That's a moot point now.
The idiom says it in three words; 'rendered academic and devoid of consequence' is heavy.
Pattern: it is a moot point whether/if + clause; X is a moot point
In use
- Whether we should have left earlier is a moot point now that we've missed the train.communication
- Some argue that stricter regulations could have prevented the problem, but that's a moot point since the damage has already been done.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It's a mute point.
✓ It's a moot point.
It's 'moot' (debatable / no longer relevant), not 'mute'.
Common collocations
a moot point— now, rather, becomes, it's
Don't confuse it
Unlike simply saying 'debatable' (which means people can argue about it), 'a moot point' often suggests that the discussion is theoretical or no longer has any real impact.