off-the-record

[awf-thuh-rek-erd, of-]

adjective

1. not for publication; not to be quoted.

   a candidate's off-the-record remarks to reporters.

2. confidential.

   off-the-record information.

off the record

adjective

1. not intended for publication or disclosure; confidential

adverb

1. with such an intention; unofficially

Word History and Origins

Origin of off the record¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

Unofficially, in confidence, not for publication, as in What he was about to say, he told the reporters, was strictly off the record.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.

Example Sentences

Mutterings off the record at the time grew into a frenzy as the months went on, resulting in resignations in the Welsh government cabinet that forced Gething out.

From BBC

Even the few internal sources who might normally brief reliably are refusing to talk off the record.

From BBC

All three claims were false, including about the conversations being off the record, something now accepted by MI5.

From BBC

Rutte's text – which a Nato press officer confirmed to the BBC as authentic – dovetails with the accounts provided on and off the record by White House officials.

From BBC

He is one off the record of goal contributions - a player's goals plus assists total - in a Premier League season, with a home game against Crystal Palace to come.

From BBC

Related Words

• confidentially www.thesaurus.com
• privately www.thesaurus.com