popping the question

Verb

pop the question (third-person singular simple present pops the question, present participle popping the question, simple past and past participle popped the question)

1. (idiomatic, informal) To propose marriage.
   • I was not able to learn what particular ceremony was observed in forming the marriage contract, but am inclined to think that it must have been of a very simple nature. Perhaps the mere "popping the question", as it is termed with us, might have been followed by an immediate nuptial alliance.1846, Herman Melville, chapter 26, in Typee