question mark noun
plural ∼ marks [count] 1 : the punctuation mark ? that is used after a direct question or to indicate that something (such as a birth date) is uncertain 2 a chiefly US : someone or something that causes feelings of doubt or uncertainty
▪ The future of the company remains a question mark. [=no one knows what will happen in the company's future] ▪ His leg is still sore and he remains a question mark for next week's game. [=it is not certain that he will be able to play in next week's game] ▪ The team's pitching is a big question mark this season.
b ◊If there is a question mark over something, there is doubt about it.
▪ Her injured elbow puts a big question mark over her chances in the tournament.
▪ The future of the company remains a question mark. [=no one knows what will happen in the company's future] ▪ His leg is still sore and he remains a question mark for next week's game. [=it is not certain that he will be able to play in next week's game] ▪ The team's pitching is a big question mark this season.
b ◊If there is a question mark over something, there is doubt about it.
▪ Her injured elbow puts a big question mark over her chances in the tournament.
