major issue
51
3.2
- noun
:
problema importante
- One of the major issues we face today is climate change.
- face a major issue
- become a major issue
- resolve a major issue
We have really no major issues with this product.
- We have really no major issues with this product.
- And that's a major issue in my life.
- We've lost track of where she stands on the major issues in this race.
- So, yeah, this is a major, major issue.
- But what needs to happen to address what is increasingly a major issue in sport?
- This isn't the major issue I have with the coverage of the quantum Internet though.
- Well, that creates a couple of major issues.
- China becomes a major issue, you know, after the Seattle protests and things like that.
- So regret is a major issue for survivors of narcissistic relationships.
- So the support team is making some adjustments and it's certainly a major, major issue for them and it rightfully should be.
Examples
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In the run up to the midterms, one of the major issues for voters across the land was crime.
-
Incivility is a major issue in America.
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We have really no major issues with this product.
-
- Listen, we got a major issue in here.
-
This is a major issue.
-
What do you figure are the major issues facing us today?
Fiction book (2001) -
But what needs to happen to address what is increasingly a major issue in sport?
-
Technological innovation is not the only major issue facing higher education.
Academic text (2015) -
Indeed, corruption appears to be a major issue in Russia's energy sector.
Academic text (2011) -
Bullying has become a major issue in today's schools.
Academic text (2013)
Synonyms
∞
1.2
A situation that causes trouble and needs a solution
∞
3.0
An important topic or problem people discuss
586
2.1
An important thing or event that affects people
41
3.0
A problem that needs careful attention and action
1
5.2
A very important problem that must be solved first
Antonyms
How Important
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a significant or important problem' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'major' (important, substantial) with 'issue' (a problem or subject for discussion). This adjective + noun compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English semantics, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase major issue comes from the word major, which means 'bigger' or 'more important', and issue, which means 'a problem' or 'matter'. Think of a list of problems where one stands out as much larger or more urgent than the others; that standout problem is the 'major issue' that needs attention.