a closed issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a closed issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a topic or matter has been resolved and is no longer open for discussion. Example: "After much debate, the committee decided that the funding proposal was a closed issue and would not be revisited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"It's a closed issue," he said.

The New York Times

"This is not a closed issue," said a commission official.

The New York Times

At another point, he said: "Is it a closed issue?

The New York Times

"It is a closed issue for him," said Barbara Higgs, the Lucerne Festival spokeswoman.

The New York Times - Arts

For a millennium, the Vatican has signaled that it is, indeed, a closed issue.

The New York Times

Asked if he considered the Knicks' case "a closed issue," Stern said in part that "it was still under consideration".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It is regarded as an effective method of dealing with a relatively closed issue, as here.

BMC Family Practice

"That is a part of the open and closed issue, in my head.

The Guardian - Tech

The closed issues are considered as such because they are merged pull request.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

(We note that closed issues were considered as closed because they were the result of merged pull requests. The branch of the pull request had been merged with the main branch and, as a result, those issues were considered closed).

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

At Stanford, Kathleen Frankovic, the director of surveys for CBS News, pointed out that in the Los Angeles Times exit poll voters were asked to identify, from a closed list, the issues that were most important to them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a closed issue" when you want to clearly communicate that a matter has been decided and will not be revisited. It is best suited for formal or neutral contexts where a sense of finality is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "a closed issue" prematurely in a situation where further discussion or reconsideration is still possible or necessary. This can create the impression of being dismissive or unwilling to engage in further dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closed issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase signals that a specific subject is not open for further discussion or consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a closed issue" is a useful tool for conveying that a matter has been definitively resolved and is no longer open for discussion. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and is commonly used in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. While "a closed issue" is not the most frequent phrase, it is a valuable expression for setting boundaries in conversations, negotiations, and formal communications. Consider alternatives such as "a settled matter" or "case closed" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. Use it judiciously to avoid seeming dismissive or inflexible in situations where further discussion may be warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a settled matter

Emphasizes that a decision has been made and is unlikely to change.

a resolved question

Focuses on the aspect of a question being answered definitively.

a concluded debate

Highlights the termination of a discussion or argument.

an end of discussion

Directly states that the topic is no longer open for debate.

case closed

Informal, emphasizes finality, often used in investigative contexts.

a done deal

Indicates that an agreement or arrangement has been finalized.

off the table

Indicates that a topic or proposal is no longer being considered.

a dead issue

Suggests the issue is no longer relevant or viable.

water under the bridge

Suggests the issue is in the past and should be forgotten.

ancient history

Emphasizes that the issue is very old and no longer relevant.

FAQs

How to use "a closed issue" in a sentence?

You can use "a closed issue" to indicate that a topic or matter has been resolved and is no longer open for discussion. For example: "The committee has deemed this matter "a closed issue" and will not be revisiting it."

What can I say instead of "a closed issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a settled matter", "a resolved question", or "an end of discussion" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a closed issue"?

It is appropriate to use "a closed issue" when a decision has been made, and further discussion or consideration is not desired or permitted. It's best used in formal or neutral contexts to convey a sense of finality.

What does it mean for an issue to be "off the table"?

If an issue is "off the table", it means that it is no longer being considered or discussed. While similar to "a closed issue", "off the table" typically refers to proposals or options that are no longer viable, whereas "a closed issue" implies a final decision has been made.