off the record

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. off the record meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "off the record"

Meaning

The phrase “off the record” refers to information that is provided anonymously, usually to the press or in a professional setting. It implies that the speaker does not want their name or remarks to be made public or attributed to anyone. It is also commonly used in conversations as a way of warning the other person that whatever is being said should not be repeated or relayed to anyone else.

Etymology

The phrase “off the record” has its origins in the early 20th century in America where it was used by journalists to refer to information that was not to be published. The phrase has since been adopted by various other professional and social contexts and has become commonplace in everyday conversation.

Usage

The phrase “off the record” is typically used in professional contexts to refer to sensitive information that is not to be disclosed to the public or to anyone else. It is also used in conversations between two people to indicate that the information being exchanged is not to be repeated to anyone else. The intended use of the phrase is to ensure that the information is kept confidential, which is why it is usually used when discussing sensitive or controversial topics.

Example Sentences

• Can you tell me what happened off the record?
• I’ll tell you what I heard off the record, but please don’t repeat it.
• Let’s keep this conversation off the record.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.