record (redirected from records)

break a record

to destroy a previously set high record by setting a new one. The athlete broke all the school records in swimming. The league record was broken after thirty years.

See also: break

fall short of one's goal(s) and fall short of the goal(s); fall short of the record

to fail to achieve a goal. We fell short of our goal of collecting a thousand dollars. Ann ran a fast race, but fell short of the record.

See also: fall, goal, short

for the record

so that (one's own version of) the facts will be known; for open, public knowledge. (This often is said when there are reporters present.) I'd like to say—for the record—that at no time have I ever accepted a bribe from anyone. For the record, I've never been able to get anything done around city hall without bribing someone.

off the record

Fig. unofficial; informal. (Of comments to the press that one does not want reported.) This is off the record, but I disagree with the mayor on this matter. Although her comments were off the record, the newspaper published them anyway.

on record and on the books

recorded for future reference. We had the coldest winter on record last year. This is the fastest race on record.

record something from something

to make an audio or video recording of something from some source. Listen to this. I recorded it from a radio broadcast. From what TV show did you record this?

record something in something

to enter a record of something into something. I will record your appointment in my notebook. Jane recorded the memo in her computer.

record something on something

to make a record of something on the surface of something. Nancy recorded the appointment on the calendar that served as a blotter on the top of her desk. Please record this on your calendar.

set the record straight

Fig. to put right a mistake or misunderstanding; to make sure that an account, etc., is correct. The manager thought Jean was to blame, but she soon set the record straight. Jane's mother heard that Tom is a married man, but he set the record straight. He's divorced.

See also: set, straight

sound like a broken record

to say the same thing over and over again. (Fig. on a scratch in a phonograph record causing the needle [or stylus] to stay in the same groove and play it over and over.) He's always complaining about the way she treats him. He sounds like a broken record! I hate to sound like a broken record, but we just don't have enough people on the payroll to work effciently.

See also: broken, like, sound

---

a track record

all of the past achievements or failures of a person or organization We like to recruit managers with a strong track record. (often + in ) They have a strong track record in rescuing ailing companies.

See also: track

be a matter of record

if a fact is a matter of record, you know it is true because it has been written down His views on immigration are a matter of record.

See also: matter

for the record

something that you say when you are about to tell someone something important that you want them to remember Just for the record, I've never been to his house and I've only met him a few times, whatever the media is saying.

go on record

to publicly and officially tell people your opinion about something (often + as + doing sth) Are you prepared to go on record as supporting the council on this issue?

off the record

if you say something off the record, you do not want it to be publicly reported She made it clear that her comments were strictly off the record and should not be included in the article.

put/set the record straight

to tell the true facts about a situation in order to show people that what they believed previously was not correct She is writing her memoirs to set the record straight once and for all.

See also: put, straight

---

a matter of record

a fact recorded in writing The judgment of the court is a matter of record.

See also: matter

for the record

1. officially and publicly He is a Congressman known for saying what other politicians will not say for the record.

2. (spoken) so that the facts are clear Just for the record, I was not even born when the events I'm describing happened.

off the record

not intended to be known publicly or recorded officially She claims the newspaper published comments about the incident that were supposed to be off the record.

Opposite of: on (the) record

on (the) record

known or recorded officially and publicly He is on the record as saying that I was not involved in this decision. The number of murders this year is the lowest on record for this city since the 1920s.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the phrase go on the record (make something known officially and publicly): These women are willing to go on the record with charges against their boss.

Opposite of: off the record

set the record straight

to tell the true facts that have not been accurately reported If we are wrong and Brian would like to set the record straight, he should come talk to us.

Related vocabulary: set somebody/something straight

See also: set, straight