beggars the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beggars the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a statement or argument is so absurd or unreasonable that it distracts from the main point or issue at hand. Example: "While his argument has some merit, the way he presented it beggars the issue and makes it difficult to take him seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's not that description beggars the issue, or even that what they do is hard to describe.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I had written to him as a private citizen, putting aside my journalistic skepticism, urging him to do something about the issue of child beggars in Delhi.

The New York Times

I thought of all the shitty things I'd done, the beggars and Big Issue sellers I had walked by.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tabloid newspapers have taken up the issue and The Daily Mail has warned, for example, of "mafia bosses who can't wait to flood Britain with beggars".

The New York Times

past the beggar on St. Thomas's steps & the "Going Out of Business" signs, one might reasonably question young Stockdale's statement "The issues are not the issue.

The New Yorker

It beggars the imagination".

The New York Times - Arts

It beggars the imagination, and is below.

The New Yorker

The Kentucky Democratic Party's response beggars the imagination.

Huffington Post

To remove from the play — through the novelty of casting — the issues of race, class, and history is not to challenge the imagination but to beggar it.

The New Yorker

What she might say about him beggared the imagination.

The New Yorker

The resulting stench beggared the imagination.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beggars the issue" when you want to express that something, while perhaps true or relevant on its own, detracts from or complicates the main issue at hand, making it harder to address effectively. Use it to signal that a particular point, though it may have some validity, ultimately obscures what's most important.

Common error

Avoid using "beggars the issue" too frequently in formal writing, as it can come across as overly dramatic or dismissive. In such contexts, opt for more neutral and precise language to describe how a particular point might complicate or detract from the central issue, such as "obscures the main point" or "complicates the matter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beggars the issue" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that something complicates or detracts from the main point or problem being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beggars the issue" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something complicates or distracts from the main issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable. Though rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, consider using this phrase when you want to express that a particular point, while potentially true or relevant, detracts from or obscures the most important aspect of a discussion. If formality is key, consider alternatives like "obscures the point" or "complicates the matter".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is beside the point

States that something is not relevant to the matter at hand.

obscures the point

Focuses on the act of making the central point less clear.

clouds the matter

Suggests confusion or lack of clarity regarding the issue.

sidesteps the core question

Emphasizes avoidance of the central question.

distracts from the substance

Highlights the diversion from the main subject.

diverts attention from the real problem

Highlights a deliberate redirection away from the actual issue.

misses the forest for the trees

Indicates a focus on minor details at the expense of the overall issue.

is immaterial to the topic

States that something is not important or relevant to the topic being discussed.

is a non sequitur

Indicates that something does not logically follow from what was previously said.

introduces a red herring

Indicates the introduction of an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue.

FAQs

How can I use "beggars the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "beggars the issue" to indicate that a particular statement or argument, while possibly relevant, actually distracts from or complicates the central point. For example, "While his personal anecdotes were interesting, they ultimately "obscured the point" of the presentation."

What is a more formal alternative to "beggars the issue"?

More formal alternatives to "beggars the issue" include phrases like "complicates the matter", "detracts from the substance", or "obscures the point". These options provide a similar meaning without the potential for sounding overly informal or dismissive.

Is "beggars the issue" a common phrase?

The phrase "beggars the issue" is not particularly common. While grammatically correct and understandable, it's less frequently used than alternatives like "misses the point" or "is beside the point".

What does it mean when something "beggars the issue"?

When something "beggars the issue", it means that it introduces a point or consideration that, while potentially valid on its own, ultimately serves to complicate or distract from the core problem or argument being addressed. It essentially "clouds the matter" rather than clarifies it.