off the record
Meaning
Not for publication or official reporting; said in confidence and not to be attributed.
Origin
From journalism and legal/official record-keeping: information given “off the record” is excluded from the published story or official transcript, unlike “on the record,” which may be quoted and attributed.
Notes
Common in journalism/business to mean “don’t publish/attribute this.” It implies confidentiality, but only works if both sides agree; it’s not a legal guarantee.
Examples
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The mayor spoke to reporters off the record after the meeting.
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I can tell you what happened, but it has to be off the record.
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She confirmed the rumors off the record, then refused to comment publicly.
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Off the record, the company is considering layoffs next quarter.
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He apologized off the record and asked me not to quote him.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase used adverbially or as a complement: “say something off the record,” “(it’s) off the record,” “go off the record.” Hyphenated when adjectival before a noun (“off-the-record remarks”).
Synonyms
- in confidence
- confidentially
- not for attribution
- privately
Antonyms
- on the record
- for publication
- officially