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 not for publication; not to be quoted: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Unofficially, in confidence, not for publication, as in What he was about to say, he told the reporters, was strictly off the record .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

He was pretty relaxed and spoke freely about his family and his role as Prince of Wales both on and off the record.

From BBC

He takes the conversation off the record, something he does at least half a dozen times over the course of our Getty visit.

From Los Angeles Times

Shein provided a spokesperson who was only prepared to speak off the record, then did not reply to follow-up questions.

From BBC

“You should not be independently speaking or communicating with any members of the press — on or off the record,” the email warned staff.

From Salon

"This was the first time I’d ever encountered anyone—on Capitol Hill or anywhere else, on the record, off the record, on background, whatever—criticizing 'the principal,'" he wrote.

From Salon

Related Words

• confidentially
• privately