break a new record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break a new record" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to express when someone has established a new high result in a particular area. For example, "The athlete broke a new record with her impressive 3-minute mile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Shoppers are set to break a new record and spend more than £700m online on Christmas Day, experts have forecast.

BBC

That the Grammys didn't break a new record for CBS All Access sign-ups (compared to "Star Trek") isn't necessarily the biggest concern.

TechCrunch

I have an app that counts the number of steps I take daily (and congrats me when I break a new record), and I just downloaded one that tracks my sleeping patterns (it records -- so now I can prove that I don't snore).

Huffington Post

All that streaming has helped the band break a new record, as "Drag Me Down" now holds the record for the greatest number of streams in one day on Spotify.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the fractured music industry, it is getting harder and harder to "break" a new recording artist.

Huffington Post

And I felt that way every time I broke a new record.

The Guardian

Right now, it seems like Griner breaks a new record every game as Baylor tries to repeat.

The New York Times

"We must have broken a new record for grosses". Edelbaum is adamant that Metrodome must be to blame, and insisted that she would demand a full explanation.

The Guardian - Film

Whether this year was hotter than last year or whether next year breaks a new record are merely one symptom of a warming world.

The Guardian

In return donors upped their pledges of support to $1.2 billion for 2005, and Palestine broke a new record for aid money per head of population.Please may we have independence too?Palestinians plainly welcome reform for its own sake.

The Economist

Mexico's murder rate broke a new record in 2018 as the country's drug war dragged on and criminal groups fought for control of an increasingly diversified range of illegal activities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break a new record", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of record is being surpassed (e.g., sales, athletic performance, etc.) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "break a new record" in situations where the achievement isn't measurable or quantifiable. For instance, saying "break a new record of kindness" is metaphorical but grammatically unconventional; instead, opt for a phrase like "set a new standard of kindness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break a new record" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the act of surpassing a previous best, establishing a new high point. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break a new record" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote surpassing a previous achievement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys the communicative purpose of announcing a new high in a specific measurable context, such as sales or athletic performance. While adaptable across various registers, its factual nature aligns best with professional and neutral communications. When employing this phrase, clarity is key—ensure the specific type of record is evident to maintain precision. While alternative phrasing is achievable, maintaining the emphasis on surpassing quantifiable achievement is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a new high

Focuses on establishing a new peak or maximum value.

establish a new benchmark

Emphasizes setting a new standard for others to follow.

surpass a previous best

Highlights exceeding a prior personal or collective achievement.

top the charts

Specifically refers to reaching the highest position in rankings, often in music or sales.

reach a new milestone

Indicates achieving a significant point in progress or development.

exceed all expectations

Conveys surpassing what was anticipated or predicted.

outperform previous results

Stresses achieving better outcomes compared to past performance.

smash all records

Emphasizes a very significant and impressive breaking of records.

rewrite the record books

Implies making such a significant achievement that existing records are fundamentally changed.

achieve a new personal best

Focuses specifically on an individual's highest achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "break a new record" in a sentence?

You can use "break a new record" to describe surpassing a previous high score or achievement, such as "The company "broke a new record" in sales this quarter".

What's a good alternative to "break a new record"?

Alternatives include "set a new high", "establish a new benchmark", or "surpass a previous best" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "broke a new record" or should it be "break a record"?

"Broke a new record" is the past tense form, used when the record has already been broken. "Break a record" is the infinitive form, used to express the possibility or intention of breaking a record.

What does it mean to "break a new record"?

To "break a new record" means to achieve a higher level of performance or achievement than previously recorded, setting a new standard.