PhrasesHub

Off the record

    Definitions

      • to speak unofficially
        to indicate that the information being shared is not for public knowledge or official use

      • without official sanction
        to convey that the conversation or information is not part of the formal or documented record

    Examples of Off the record

    • During their discussion, the politician asked the journalist, "Off the record, what do you really think about our policies?"

      In this example, "off the record" means that the politician is asking the journalist to share their honest, unpublished opinion about the policies, without the permission to publish it.

    • In the meeting, the CEO whispered the idea, "Let's keep this off the record for now."

      Here, "off the record" signifies that the idea is being discussed confidentially, and cannot be shared with others without the CEO's consent.

    • After the presentation, the potential client asked the salesperson, "Based on what you just told me, I want to ask you something off the record. What do you think our competitors are up to?"

      In this instance, "off the record" indicates that the client is requesting information which they wouldn't want disclosed publicly, and which could potentially give them an advantage over their competitors.

    • During their informal conversation, the lawyer confided to the client, "Between you and me, I think we'll win the case."

      Here, "off the record" conveys that the lawyer is sharing a personal opinion, which is not legally binding, and should not be used in court proceedings.

    • During the press conference, the politician made a surprising confession off the record.

      This means that the politician revealed confidential information that was not intended for public consumption. The "off the record" statement indicates that the journalist should not report on this information in their article or broadcast. This can be useful for building trust between the politician and the media, as it allows for candid and honest conversations without fear of repercussions.

    • In their conversation, the attorney advised the client to take a settlement off the record.

      This means that the client and the attorney came to an agreement that they would not disclose the terms of the settlement to anyone outside of the immediate parties involved. This can be helpful in situations where the client's reputation or privacy is at stake, or where the legal proceedings could negatively affect the client's standing in the community.

    • In their meeting, the CEO revealed a secret strategy off the record.

      This means that the CEO shared a confidential plan for the company's future that they did not want to be disclosed to the public or competitors. The "off the record" statement implies that the person listening should not share this information with anyone else, as it could give a competitive advantage to other businesses.

    • During the interview, the author shared a personal story off the record.

      This means that the author revealed a private detail about their life that they did not want to be made public. The "off the record" statement shows that the author is trusting the journalist with their confidential information, but it also implies that the journalist should honor that trust by not revealing the information to their readers or listeners.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "off the record" is used to indicate that the information being shared is unofficial or not intended for public knowledge. It can also convey that the conversation or information is not part of the formal or documented record.

    It is often used in journalism, politics, and legal contexts to indicate that the information being shared is not for public consumption or official use. This can be to protect a source's anonymity or to speak candidly without the constraints of official statements. In everyday conversations, it can also be used to convey informality or to preface a statement that may be sensitive or not meant for public dissemination.

    Overall, the idiom "off the record" is a way of indicating that the information being shared is not part of the official record or intended for public knowledge.

    Origin of "Off the record"

    The origin of the idiom "off the record" is believed to come from the practice of journalists and reporters during interviews. When a source wants to share information that is not for public consumption, they would request to speak "off the record." This would indicate to the journalist that the information is not to be attributed to the source and is not part of the official interview. Over time, the idiom has come to be used in various contexts to convey unofficial or non-sanctioned information. The use of the phrase has become widespread in both formal and informal settings, indicating a desire for confidentiality or informality in communication.