B2 C1 C2 English expressions: off the record. This is an American phrase that dates back to the 1930s. President Franklin Roosevelt used it to say that his words should not be attributed to him. So, today we use it in a similar manner. It means, don’t tell anyone I said this.
Off the record
- As the example I gave above, the most common meaning of the phrase is that I am about to make comments or statements in confidence and they should not be published or recorded
- Sometimes we use this expression without ‘the’.
- Today, most politicians only want to speak off the record and won’t go public about anything.
- Would you be willing to speak off record?
- An unofficial statement.
- As I am not the official spokesperson, I can only speak off the record.
- Off the record, the event will be going ahead, but we should wait for the official announcement before we begin planning anything.
On (the) record
- If something is ‘on record’ that it is official and I am publicly responsible for my words.
- I agreed to speak to the newspaper on the record.
- Are you willing to go on record with your testimony?
B2 C1 C2 English Expressions
Now that you have learned B2 C1 C2 English expressions: off the record, take a look at our other posts based on expressions.
Expression Session: can’t put my finger on it
Expression Session: to be on track