set the record straight

Meaning

This idiom means to correct a mistake, misunderstanding, or false statement by providing the true facts. It is used when there is a rumor, misconception, or incorrect public information that needs to be clarified. The tone is firm, professional, and factual.

Examples

• Let me set the record straight: I did not resign, I was promoted.

  Let me set the record straight: I did not resign, I was promoted.

• The company issued a press release to set the record straight about the product recall.

  The company issued a press release to set the record straight about the product recall.

• I wanted to set the record straight before any more rumors started spreading.

  I wanted to set the record straight before any more rumors started spreading.

• The politician held a press conference to set the record straight on his tax history.

  The politician held a press conference to set the record straight on his tax history.

• She felt she had to set the record straight about her role in the project's success.

  She felt she had to set the record straight about her role in the project's success.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to put the record straight.

  ✓ I need to set the record straight.

  While 'put the record straight' is occasionally used in British English, the standard and most globally recognized idiom is 'set the record straight'.

• ✗ He set the record straight of his mistakes.

  ✓ He set the record straight about his mistakes.

  We use 'on' or 'about' to introduce the topic being corrected, not the preposition 'of'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After the newspaper printed the wrong story, they had to ___.

  💡 Correct the false information.

  Show answer

  set the record straight

• I would like to ___ regarding the budget cuts; they are not as severe as rumored.

  💡 Clarify the truth.

  Show answer

  set the record straight