Wiktionary
vb. 1 (&lit to ask a given question English) 2 (context cricket informal English) To make an appeal to the umpire against the batsman.
Usage examples of "ask the question".
At some point, one must ask the question: is this really worth it, or should we maybe just tear it down and put up a good one?
I realize as I ask the question that this is why we are here, that Charisse has been waiting to talk about this.
But your change of mind obliges me to ask the question I thought you would have asked yourself.
Stubbs licked his lips, wanting to ask the question but afraid it had already been answered.
He leaned out of the window to ask where the recruits and their humorless sergeant were supposed to go, but before he could ask the question the MP answered it for him.
This was really good, because it saved Ben from having to ask the question and looking, well, stupid.
Dave stared at him for a long moment, not really wanting to stop, because then he knew he'd have to ask the question.