In 15 Seconds
- To do something better than the previous best result.
- Commonly used in sports, business, and personal goals.
- Implies a measurable achievement that surpasses a limit.
Meaning
This phrase means doing something better, faster, or more impressively than anyone else has ever done it before. It is about reaching a new high point in achievement.
Key Examples
3 of 6Watching a track meet
He just broke the world record for the 100-meter dash!
لقد حطم للتو الرقم القياسي العالمي لسباق 100 متر!
In a business meeting
Our team broke a record for sales this quarter.
حطم فريقنا رقماً قياسياً في المبيعات هذا الربع.
Texting a friend about gaming
I finally broke my high score record in that game!
لقد حطمت أخيراً رقمي القياسي في تلك اللعبة!
Cultural Background
The Guinness World Records is a massive cultural phenomenon. People often try to break records for very strange things just to get into the book. In US business culture, 'breaking records' is often used as a motivational tool. It emphasizes growth and being 'number one'. Breaking an Olympic record is considered one of the highest honors in sports, often more prestigious than winning a single race. Modern culture tracks 'records' for digital engagement, like the most-watched YouTube video in 24 hours.
Use 'Personal Best'
In the UK and Australia, people often use 'PB' (Personal Best) instead of 'personal record' when talking about fitness.
Noun vs Verb Stress
Remember: A RE-cord (noun) is what you break. To re-CORD (verb) is what you do with a camera. Don't mix them up!
In 15 Seconds
- To do something better than the previous best result.
- Commonly used in sports, business, and personal goals.
- Implies a measurable achievement that surpasses a limit.
What It Means
To break a record is to surpass a previous limit. Think of a 'record' as a thin glass ceiling. When you go past it, you shatter that old limit. It is not just about sports. It applies to anything measurable. If you eat 50 tacos and the previous high was 49, you did it. You broke the record. It feels powerful and exciting.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with a specific activity. Usually, you say break the record or break a record. You can also specify whose record it is. For example, I broke my own record. Use it when someone does something better than ever before. It works for sales, gaming, or even sleeping late.
When To Use It
Use it when you are genuinely impressed. It is perfect for the office when sales are high. Use it at the gym when you lift more weight. It is great for cheering on friends. If your friend finishes a marathon, tell them they broke a record. Even if it is just a personal one, it sounds amazing.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for things that are not measurable. You cannot break a record at being a nice person. That is a quality, not a number. Also, avoid it for negative things unless you are being funny. You would not say a criminal broke a record for being bad. It usually implies a positive achievement or a neutral statistic.
Cultural Background
Western culture is obsessed with being the 'best'. From the Guinness World Records to the Olympics, we love lists. Breaking a record is the ultimate sign of progress. It shows that humans are always getting better. It started in sports but moved into business and daily life. It represents the 'faster, higher, stronger' mentality of the modern world.
Common Variations
You might hear set a record which means being the first to do something. Beat a record is a common synonym. If you barely pass the limit, you edge out the record. If you do much better, you shatter the record. Shattering sounds much more dramatic and cool. Use it when the achievement is truly massive.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is grammatically simple (Verb + Object) and can be used in past, present, or future tenses easily.
Use 'Personal Best'
In the UK and Australia, people often use 'PB' (Personal Best) instead of 'personal record' when talking about fitness.
Noun vs Verb Stress
Remember: A RE-cord (noun) is what you break. To re-CORD (verb) is what you do with a camera. Don't mix them up!
Smash it!
If someone breaks a record by a lot, use 'smash' to sound more like a native speaker. 'He didn't just break it, he smashed it!'
Examples
6He just broke the world record for the 100-meter dash!
لقد حطم للتو الرقم القياسي العالمي لسباق 100 متر!
Standard use in a sports context.
Our team broke a record for sales this quarter.
حطم فريقنا رقماً قياسياً في المبيعات هذا الربع.
Used to motivate and praise professional success.
I finally broke my high score record in that game!
لقد حطمت أخيراً رقمي القياسي في تلك اللعبة!
Informal use for personal hobbies.
Grandpa broke a record for the longest nap today.
حطم جدي رقماً قياسياً لأطول قيلولة اليوم.
Humorous use for a non-serious daily activity.
We are proud to announce we broke the record for donations.
نحن فخورون بأن نعلن أننا حطمنا الرقم القياسي للتبرعات.
Formal announcement of a community achievement.
You're about to break your personal record, keep going!
أنت على وشك تحطيم رقمك القياسي الشخصي، استمر!
Friendly encouragement during physical activity.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'break'.
Last year, the athlete _______ the world record for the high jump.
The sentence refers to 'last year', so we need the simple past tense 'broke'.
Which of these is the most natural way to say someone did better than before?
I finally _______ my personal record at the gym today!
We 'break' records, we don't 'win' or 'make' them in this context.
Match the adjective with the type of record.
Match the pairs:
These are the most common collocations for 'record'.
Choose the best response.
A: 'Did you hear? Sarah broke the sales record this month!' B: '_______'
The first and last options treat 'break' too literally. The third option uses 'won' incorrectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLast year, the athlete _______ the world record for the high jump.
The sentence refers to 'last year', so we need the simple past tense 'broke'.
I finally _______ my personal record at the gym today!
We 'break' records, we don't 'win' or 'make' them in this context.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common collocations for 'record'.
A: 'Did you hear? Sarah broke the sales record this month!' B: '_______'
The first and last options treat 'break' too literally. The third option uses 'won' incorrectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, yes. It implies achievement. However, it can be used for negative things like 'breaking the record for the most rainy days', which isn't necessarily 'good'.
You 'break' an existing record. You 'set' a record when you establish a new mark (either for the first time or as the new leader).
Yes, if someone surpasses multiple different records at once (e.g., the 100m and 200m records).
Use 'the' if you are talking about a specific, famous record (like the world record). Use 'a' for a general or personal achievement.
It's a bit dramatic for grades, but you could say 'I broke my personal record for the highest GPA.'
It means to break the record by a very large margin. It's more intense than 'break'.
Slightly, but both are used in news and sports. 'Break' feels a bit more like the record is 'gone' and a new one exists.
Say: 'In my last role, I broke the record for the highest sales in a single quarter.' It sounds very professional.
Yes, computers break records for processing speed, and cars break records for top speed.
A record that has not been broken for a very long time.
Related Phrases
set a record
similarTo establish a new best result.
smash a record
specialized formTo break a record by a very large amount.
hold a record
builds onTo be the person who currently has the best result.
personal best
similarYour own individual record.
