Moot point

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• pointless discussion
  Highlight that a discussion or argument is unnecessary or irrelevant because the outcome has already been decided or is unlikely to change

• debatable issue
  Refer to a topic or issue that is open to debate or discussion, often because it lacks a clear resolution or decision

Examples of Moot point

• Discussing the winner of the 2020 presidential election before it happens is a moot point.

  In this example, the idiom "moot point" is being used to mean that debating or discussing the outcome of an already-decided or hypothetical situation is futile, as the outcome is not subject to change. In this case, the outcome of the 2020 presidential election has not yet been decided, but the discussion is being made before the election takes place, making it a hypothetical situation with an unchangeable outcome.

• Spending time trying to convince someone who is already convinced is a moot point.

  In this example, the idiom "moot point" is being used to mean that arguing or trying to persuade someone who has already made up their mind is a futile effort, as their opinion is not subject to change.

• Arguing with a child about whether or not Santa Claus is real is a moot point.

  In this example, the idiom "moot point" is being used with a non-serious context, as the discussion is not a serious one. The example being used is to illustrate that debating or discussing a topic that is already decided or obvious is an unnecessary effort, as the outcome is not subject to change. In this case, the outcome of whether or not Santa Claus is real has already been decided by the child's belief, making it a hypothetical situation with an unchangeable outcome.

• Bringing up the topic of reducing taxes during a political debate where the opposing party has already communicated their stance on tax hikes is a moot point.

  In this example, the idiom "moot point" is being used to mean that discussing a topic that has already been settled or determined is a futile effort, as the outcome is not subject to change. In this case, the outcome of whether or not taxes should be reduced has already been decided by the opposing party's stance on tax hikes, making it a hypothetical situation with an unchangeable outcome.

• Arguing over the best type of pizza toppings is a moot point since everyone has their own preferences.

  This idiom is used to describe a situation where it is unnecessary to discuss or argue about something because the issue is already settled or irrelevant. In this example, the argument about the best pizza toppings is a moot point because people have different preferences, and there is no objective answer to this question.

• Discussing the cause of a car accident with the driver involved is a moot point since they are already aware of what happened.

  In this example, the discussion about the cause of a car accident with the driver involved is a moot point because they already know what happened, and there is no need to rehash the events.

• Debating whether the world will end in 2012 is a moot point since there is no scientific evidence to support such a claim.

  In this example, the debate about whether the world will end in 2012 is a moot point because there is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and it is unlikely to happen.

• Arguing over the correct pronunciation of a non-native speaker's name is a moot point because everyone understands who they are referring to.

  In this example, the argument about the correct pronunciation of a non-native speaker's name is a moot point because everyone understands who they are referring to, regardless of the pronunciation used.

Conclusion

The idiom "moot point" can be used to discourage someone from pursuing a particular activity or task, as it suggests that the effort will be in vain. It can also be used to indicate that a discussion or argument is unnecessary because the outcome is already decided or unlikely to change. Additionally, it can refer to a debatable issue that lacks a clear resolution or decision.

Origin of "Moot point"

The origin of the idiom "moot point" can be traced back to medieval England, where a "moot" was a meeting or assembly for discussion and debate, often related to legal matters. In this context, a "moot point" referred to a debatable issue or question that was presented for discussion at a moot. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of a point or issue that is open to debate or discussion, and may lack a clear resolution.

The idiom "moot point" has since become a common phrase in the English language, used to convey the idea of a debatable or irrelevant issue. It is often employed in both formal and informal settings to emphasize the futility of a particular discussion or decision.