a million dollar question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a million dollar question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to a difficult or thought-provoking question, one whose answer is worth a lot of money, figuratively speaking. For example: "What's the secret to making a successful business? That's a million dollar question!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So that there is obviously the huge question, I'm gonna say a million dollar question.

Columbia University

This is a million dollar question and if you knew the answer you would practically be God!

The Guardian - Money

A: That's a million dollar question.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That could be a billion dollar question.

TechCrunch

Whether ICO tokens are a security is a million billion dollar question in itself.

TechCrunch

"A billion dollar question," he replied, before pausing for thought and choosing his words in a carefully considered manner, as he is wont to do.

TechCrunch

The rules were exactly the same as they were for a normal million dollar question under the clock format introduced the season before, except here, the contestants had no lifelines at their disposal.

Wikipedia

"That's always the million dollar question," he wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times

This is million dollar question posed by What Is Democracy?, a new film from activist and documentarian Astra Taylor.

Vice

Asked why she thought the IPC cannot have a F51 class on its own Pearson replied: "That's the million dollar question.

BBC

Here's the million dollar question: What is it that turns an idea into an internet meme?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase sparingly to maintain its impact. Overuse can diminish its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using “a million dollar question” in overly formal or serious contexts where a more straightforward inquiry would be more appropriate. The phrase often carries a slightly informal or rhetorical tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a million dollar question" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a particularly challenging or important question. As Ludwig AI indicates, its answer is figuratively very valuable. It adds emphasis to the difficulty or significance of the inquiry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a million dollar question" is a common idiom used to emphasize the difficulty or significance of a question. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English, suggesting its appropriateness for introducing complex challenges. While versatile, it's best used when a slightly informal or rhetorical tone is acceptable. Alternatives like "a key question" or "the central issue" can offer a more direct approach for formal contexts. Keep in mind the original intent of the phrase and its figurative meaning to make the most out of it in your writing. The phrase is most prevalent in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the million-dollar question

Uses a slightly different grammatical structure while retaining the core meaning.

the big question

Indicates the question is broad and significant.

a key question

Highlights the importance of the question.

a central question

Focuses on the question being at the core of the issue.

the crucial question

Highlights the decisive nature of the question.

a fundamental question

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the question.

the ultimate question

Emphasizes that it is the final and most important question.

the burning question

Suggests the question is urgent and needs answering.

a perplexing question

Emphasizes the confusing nature of the question.

a tough question

Highlights the difficulty of the question.

FAQs

What does "a million dollar question" mean?

The phrase "a million dollar question" refers to a question that is particularly difficult to answer or one whose answer would be very valuable or significant. It's often used rhetorically to introduce a complex problem or challenge.

How can I use "a million dollar question" in a sentence?

You can use "a million dollar question" to introduce a difficult question. For example: "How do we solve climate change? That's "a million dollar question"."

What are some alternatives to "a million dollar question"?

Alternatives to "a million dollar question" include "a key question", "the burning question", or "the central question". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a million dollar question" in formal writing?

While "a million dollar question" is widely understood, it can be considered slightly informal. In very formal writing, consider using a more direct phrase such as "the central issue" or "a critical question" instead.