shatter the record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shatter the record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to surpassing or breaking a previous achievement or benchmark, often in sports or competitive contexts. Example: "The athlete managed to shatter the record for the fastest marathon time, leaving everyone in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

She demoralized a laboring Kiplagat with a 4 58 last mile, requiring no sprint at all to shatter the record.

The New York Times - Sports

Coincidentally, 2015 broke the 2014 record, and 2016 is about to shatter the record for hottest year once again.

The Guardian

Heading into Week 6 games, returners are on pace to shatter the record for kickoff return touchdowns in a season, 25, set in 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

Hatton has placed himself firmly in the leading position to meet the winner in a fight that will shatter the record for a fight involving a British boxer.

Independent

Both he and Mr. Pataki are on a pace to shatter the record for spending in a statewide campaign, the $40 million spent by Rick A. Lazio in his unsuccessful 2000 Senate campaign.

The New York Times

Although he admitted that the asking price was optimistic, Mr. Minetree said he expected the sale to shatter the record $32 million to $33 million that the comedian Jerry Seinfeld paid for the home of the singer Billy Joel in Amagansett last year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Given the months of hype surrounding it and the scores of carriers across the globe that have already committed to carrying it — 296 at last glance — the Galaxy S III seems well-equipped to shatter the records set by its forebears.

TechCrunch

Mayweather-Pacquiao will shatter the records for pay-per-view buys (2.5m for Mayweather versus De la Hoya in 2007) and pay-per-view revenue ($152m for Mayweather versus Saul Alvarez in 2013).

BBC

By the end of December he had won 3,584 points, shattering the record by 314.

The New York Times - Arts

That shatters the record held by Brady Anderson, who in 1996 hit 29 more home runs than his previous high.

The New York Times - Sports

Webb's time, 3 minutes 53.43 seconds, shattered the record of 3 55.3 set by Ryun in 1965 in San Diego.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shatter the record" to emphasize a significant and impressive breaking of an existing record, particularly when the margin is considerable.

Common error

Avoid using "shatter the record" for minor improvements or insignificant achievements; reserve it for genuinely remarkable accomplishments. Use "break the record" or "set a new record" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shatter the record" functions as a verb phrase, where "shatter" acts as a transitive verb indicating the action of breaking or surpassing, and "the record" serves as the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shatter the record" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the act of surpassing a previously established record, often by a significant margin. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples show its prevalent use in sports and media contexts. While alternatives like "break the record" or "smash the record" exist, "shatter the record" adds a layer of emphasis, conveying the decisiveness and impressiveness of the accomplishment. It’s best used in situations where the new record significantly exceeds the old one, avoiding overuse in mundane scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smash the record

Uses a more forceful verb to convey the act of breaking the record.

break the record

A more common and straightforward way of saying the same thing.

crush the record

Similar to "smash", it implies a forceful and decisive breaking of the record.

destroy the record

A more extreme way of saying breaking a record. Not commonly used, it shows the record wasn't just beaten, it was utterly destroyed.

obliterate the record

Implies an even more complete and decisive surpassing of the existing record.

surpass the record

Focuses on exceeding the record rather than breaking it, conveying a sense of achievement.

exceed the record

Similar to surpass, emphasizing going beyond the established record.

top the record

Informal way of saying breaking the record.

eclipse the record

Suggests overshadowing the previous record, making it seem less significant in comparison.

outdo the record

Focuses on performing better than the previous record holder.

FAQs

What does "shatter the record" mean?

The phrase "shatter the record" means to break a record by a significant margin, implying a forceful and decisive victory over the previous achievement.

What can I say instead of "shatter the record"?

You can use alternatives like "break the record", "smash the record", or "obliterate the record" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "shatter the record"?

The phrase "shatter the record" is best used in contexts where a record has been broken by a significant margin, such as in sports, sales, or any competitive field.

Is "shatter the record" more emphatic than "break the record"?

Yes, "shatter the record" is more emphatic than "break the record". It implies a more dramatic and substantial surpassing of the previous record.