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broken record
A person or thing that repeats itself over and over again. Likened to vinyl records that when severely scratched (i.e., "broken") can loop over the same recorded segment endlessly. I feel like a broken record having to tell you this each day, but please clean your room!
there's one for (record) the book(s)
That is a remarkable, unusual, and unexpected event, occurrence, or piece of news. Primarily heard in US. Mr. Literature Snob reading a trashy romance novel? Now there's one for the books! A: "After the concert, I ran into the singer at a pub down the road from the venue. It turns out his mother went to the same school as mine!" B: "Wow, there's one for the record book!"
matter of record
A recorded or proven fact. His tardiness is a matter of record now, so it will definitely affect his performance review.
be a matter of record
To be a recorded or proven fact. His tardiness is a matter of record now, so it will definitely affect his performance review.
track record
A history of someone's or something's performance, often cited as a predictor of how they will perform in the future. The mayor brought in the new police chief because he has a strong track record of reducing crime in inner-city neighborhoods. The company had an almost perfect track record before the scandal, which made it even more shocking.
break a record
to destroy a previously set high record by setting a new one. The athlete broke all the school records in swimming. The league record was broken after thirty years.
fall short of one's goal(s)
and fall short of the goal(s); fall short of the recordto fail to achieve a goal. We fell short of our goal of collecting a thousand dollars. Ann ran a fast race, but fell short of the record.
for the record
so that (one's own version of) the facts will be known; for open, public knowledge. (This often is said when there are reporters present.) I'd like to say—for the record—that at no time have I ever accepted a bribe from anyone. For the record, I've never been able to get anything done around city hall without bribing someone.
off the record
Fig. unofficial; informal. (Of comments to the press that one does not want reported.) This is off the record, but I disagree with the mayor on this matter. Although her comments were off the record, the newspaper published them anyway.
on record
and on the booksrecorded for future reference. We had the coldest winter on record last year. This is the fastest race on record.
record something from something
to make an audio or video recording of something from some source. Listen to this. I recorded it from a radio broadcast. From what TV show did you record this?
record something in something
to enter a record of something into something. I will record your appointment in my notebook. Jane recorded the memo in her computer.
record something on something
to make a record of something on the surface of something. Nancy recorded the appointment on the calendar that served as a blotter on the top of her desk. Please record this on your calendar.
set someone straight
to make certain that someone understands something exactly. (Often said in anger or domination.) Please set me straight on this matter. Do you or do you not accept the responsibility for the accident? I set her straight about who she had to ask for permission to leave early.
set something straight
and put something straightto figure out and correct something; to straighten out a mess. I am sorry for the error. I am sure we can set it straight. We'll put this matter straight in a short time.
set the record straight
Fig. to put right a mistake or misunderstanding; to make sure that an account, etc., is correct. The manager thought Jean was to blame, but she soon set the record straight. Jane's mother heard that Tom is a married man, but he set the record straight. He's divorced.
sound like a broken record
to say the same thing over and over again. (Fig. on a scratch in a phonograph record causing the needle [or stylus] to stay in the same groove and play it over and over.) He's always complaining about the way she treats him. He sounds like a broken record! I hate to sound like a broken record, but we just don't have enough people on the payroll to work effciently.
a matter of record
a fact recorded in writing The judgment of the court is a matter of record.
for the record
1. officially and publicly He is a Congressman known for saying what other politicians will not say for the record.
2. (spoken) so that the facts are clear Just for the record, I was not even born when the events I'm describing happened.
off the record
not intended to be known publicly or recorded officially She claims the newspaper published comments about the incident that were supposed to be off the record.
Opposite of: on (the) recordon (the) record
known or recorded officially and publicly
He is on the record as saying that I was not involved in this decision. The number of murders this year is the lowest on record for this city since the 1920s. Usage notes: sometimes used in the phrase go on the record (make something known officially and publicly): These women are willing to go on the record with charges against their boss.
Opposite of:
off the record set the record straight
to tell the true facts that have not been accurately reported If we are wrong and Brian would like to set the record straight, he should come talk to us.
Related vocabulary: set somebody/something straightset somebody/something straight
to tell someone the true facts about a situation that they had not understood correctly If you think we won't be affected by what's happening in Asia, our chief economist would like to set you straight.
Related vocabulary: set the record straightbe a matter of record
if a fact is a matter of record, you know it is true because it has been written down His views on immigration are a matter of record.
for the record
something that you say when you are about to tell someone something important that you want them to remember Just for the record, I've never been to his house and I've only met him a few times, whatever the media is saying.
go on record
to publicly and officially tell people your opinion about something (often + as + doing sth) Are you prepared to go on record as supporting the council on this issue?
off the record
if you say something off the record, you do not want it to be publicly reported She made it clear that her comments were strictly off the record and should not be included in the article.
put/set the record straight
to tell the true facts about a situation in order to show people that what they believed previously was not correct She is writing her memoirs to set the record straight once and for all.
a track record
all of the past achievements or failures of a person or organization We like to recruit managers with a strong track record. (often + in ) They have a strong track record in rescuing ailing companies.
break the record
1. Surpass a previous achievement, as in He was determined to break the record for the high jump. This usage is applied primarily to sports of various kinds. [1880s]
2. Move very fast, as in The lecture was so dull that we broke the record getting to the door: [Second half of 1900s]
go on record
Embrace a position publicly. For example,
I want to go on record in favor of the mayor's reelection. It is also put as
for the record, as in
For the record, we support sending troops there. The
record in both signifies either publication or public knowledge. Both expressions date from the first half of the 1900s, although slightly different phrases, such as
put on record, are older. Also see
just for the record;
off the record.
just for the record
Let's get things straight; also, let me make myself clear. For example,
Just for the record, we never endorsed this idea, or
Just for the record, I didn't vote for him. This usage employs
record in the sense of "public knowledge." [Mid-1900s] Also see
go on record;
set (the record) straight.
off the record
Unofficially, in confidence, not for publication, as in
What he was about to say, he told the reporters, was strictly off the record. Probably alluding to striking evidence from a court record (because it is irrelevant or improper), this term came into wide use in the mid-1900s, especially with reference to persons who did not wish to be quoted by journalists. For antonyms, see
go on record;
just for the record.
set straight
Correct someone by providing accurate information; also, make an arrangement honest or fair. For example, Let me set you straight about Lisa; she's never actually worked for us, or To set matters straight I'll pay you back Monday. It is sometimes put as set the record straight, meaning "correct an inaccurate account," as in Just to set the record straight, we arrived at ten. [First half of 1900s]
track record
A record of actual performance or achievements, as in This applicant has an excellent track record. This term probably comes from horse racing, where it signifies the best time a horse has ever achieved at a particular track or over a particular distance. However, some believe it alludes to track and field records. Its figurative use dates from the late 1940s.
go on record
To embrace a certain position publicly: go on record in favor of the mayor's reelection.
off the record
Not for publication: The senator told the reporters that his remarks were strictly off the record.
on record
Known to have been stated or to have taken a certain position: The senator's opposition to the new legislation is on record.
set (someone) straight
To inform (someone) of the truth of a situation.
like a broken record
To repeat and repeat ad nauseam. Vinyl records, as those readers who remember them will recall, have spiraling grooves in which the photograph needle picked up the sound. When a groove developed a crack or other imperfection, the needle became stuck and the sound kept repeating until someone moved the phonograph arm to the next groove. The expression was applied to anyone who repeated a remark or request over and over until it sounded like a broken record . . . a broken record . . . a broken record.
long-playing record
A 33 1/3 rpm vinyl phonograph record. Abbreviated LP, a long-playing record that was played at 33 revolutions per minute held more music than did a 45 rpm extended-play record or their 78 rpm shellac and later vinyl predecessor. A 16 rpm record never achieved much popularity.
Common Names:
| Name | Gender | Pronounced | Usage |
|---|
| Kam | | KAM | English (Modern) |
| Iosue | | - | Biblical Latin |
| Oberon | | O-bər-ahn (English) | Literature |
| Basilius | | - | Ancient Greek (Latinized) |
| Dan (1) | | DAN (English) | Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, Hebrew |
| Khayri | | - | Arabic |