For the record
What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase or expression. They are tricky to understand as their meanings do not directly relate to the individual words used in the phrase.
What do the English expressions "for the record", "on the record" and "off the record" mean?
The English idioms "for the record," "on the record," and "off the record" all relate to how information is documented or shared, but they have distinct meanings.
In these idioms "the record" refers to an official or formal documentation of information. For example, legal records, business meeting minutes, court transcripts or published news reports.
Definition:
For the Record is used to emphasize that a statement or piece of information is being made clearly and officially, often to correct or clarify something. This is to make sure it is noted or remembered correctly. It's often used to emphasize that the information being given is accurate or important.
Origin:
All three idioms have their origins in formal and official contexts, particularly journalism, legal proceedings, and official documentation.
For the record comes from the practice of ensuring that information is accurately recorded in official documents, such as meeting minutes or legal records. When someone says "for the record," they want to make sure that a particular point is clearly and officially noted. Over time, it has been used more broadly to emphasize that a statement should be acknowledged and remembered, even if it is not part of an official record.
Examples:
Over time, these phrases have evolved to become widely used. Here are some examples of how these idioms are used in sentences:
News interview:
"For the record, our newspaper reached out to the company multiple times for a comment on this issue, but they declined to respond."
Business context:
"Just for the record, I never agreed to that plan. I think we should reconsider our options."
Political context:
"For the record, I have always supported policies that prioritize education and healthcare funding. Any claims to the contrary are simply untrue."
"For the record, I think vinyl recordings sound far better than digital."