Skip to main content
calling into question

calling into question

1 5.5
Showing doubt about whether something is true or reliable
  • idiom
translation icon : cuestionamiento
  • What are the consequences for a theory of justice and an account of rights of calling into question the idea of self possession?

What are the consequences for a theory of justice and an account of rights of calling into question the idea of self possession?

Examples

  • Under what circumstances is it called into question, creating the potential for social transformation?

    Academic text (1991)
  • Without those conventions, they say, the very basis of all human commerce, trade, and banking is called into question.

    Academic text (1991)
  • I am asking whether the skeptic is justified in calling into question the truth of 'God exists.'

    Blog text (29)
  • The reliability of Burt's empirical research, by contrast, has frequently been called into question.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Rather, my point is that a proper understanding of the transcendental status of consciousness calls into question neurophysicalism.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Ironically, as Japan's international power has advanced, the underpinnings of its political and economic systems have been called into question.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Rather than creating optimism, the substantial government concessions call into question the Malian authorities' actual intent of "making good" on their promises.

    Academic text (1991)
  • However, polls put to the Japanese public have shown conflicting results regarding support for Abe's measures, calling into question both how well the general populace understands the reinterpretation and the overall transparency of the process.

    Academic text (2016)
  • First, without resolution, disagreement about the justification of supposedly core bioethical practices like informed consent calls into question the ethical justification of all transnational practices over which there is disagreement.

    Academic text (2016)
  • His research is calling into question the long-accepted theories about climate change.

Synonyms

challenge
vscalling into question
  • Formal
120 3.5

A formal objection that questions whether something is fair or correct

is an expression of doubt rather than a formal or legal objection
questioning
vscalling into question
3.9

Showing doubt or wanting to know more

is focused on doubt or dispute rather than simple curiosity or inquiry
demand for explanation
vscalling into question
3.9

A strong request asking someone to explain or justify their words and actions

is an expression of doubt not mainly an insistence on justification

Antonyms

161 3.6

A public statement supporting a person, product, or idea

104 2.7

Being approved or welcomed by other people

How Doubtful

refutation
  • Formal
10 6.8
to discredit
66 6.3
challenge
  • Formal
120 3.5
calling into question
1 5.5
doubt
1.6
reservation
73 4.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

calling + into + question

The phrase literally frames moving something 'into question' by 'calling' it so: a learner who knows 'call/calling', 'into', and 'question' can plausibly infer it means to raise doubt about or challenge something. However, the specific collocation 'call into question' is a conventionalized, slightly metaphorical construction (putting something into a state of doubt) and may not be fully predictable without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Calling into question gives the image of someone calling out a question that makes people stop and doubt an idea. So, when something is 'calling into question' it is 'making people doubt' or 'challenging' the truth of that idea.