English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Off the record
Meaning
The idiom "off the record" refers to something that is not meant to be recorded or documented, often because it contains sensitive or confidential information. It can also refer to something that is informal or unofficial.
Usage
- During the meeting, they discussed the project off the record, as the client had requested secrecy.
- The journalist promised to keep the interview off the record, but later published it without permission.
- They off the record, and I didn't know what to expect until it was revealed on social media.
- When discussing politics, people often speak off the record, as they may not want their views to be attributed to them publicly.
- The company off the record, so they could focus on innovation and growth without being bogged down by bureaucracy.
Roots and History
The idiom "off the record" has been used since at least the 19th century. It may have originated from the practice of keeping official records or transcripts of events, where anything that was not documented was considered "off the record". The phrase became more common with the advent of recording technology in the 20th century, as people began to realize that even informal conversations could be recorded and potentially used against them.
Synonyms in English
- Off the books
- Under wraps
- On background
- Confidential
- Unrecorded
Synonyms in other languages
- À la lettre (French) - This idiom literally means "according to the letter" and refers to something that is official or legal.
- Większościowo (Polish) - This idiom roughly translates to "mostly" and can be used to describe something that is not entirely accurate or complete.
- 負形語言 (Japanese) - This idiom refers to language that is used to convey negative meanings, often through the use of indirect communication.
- Dieu est dans le détail (French) - This idiom roughly translates to "God is in the detail" and emphasizes the importance of paying attention to small details in order to understand a larger picture.
- L'ombre (French) - This idiom refers to something that is hidden or concealed, often because it is illegal or unethical.