Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

Is "records fall" a fixed phrase as shown in the following situations.

1. Records fall as snow batters East Coast again.
2. If records fall, it is due to better equipment.
3. London Marathon: records fall as Michelle Heaton feels the heat

What do they mean respectively?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

It's not really a fixed phrase. It's an overused one - especially by sports writers. You can also say, 'records are broken' or just come up with your own expression.

[pugachevV]

1. May mean that more snow fell than ever before. It may mean that it has never been this cold before. All it says is that since they have been recording weather statistics this snow storm has exceeded one of them.

2. Records are being broken because new equipment is helping those who use it.

3. New record times have been recorded for the London marathon and someone called Michelle Heaton is under pressure.

[jasonlulu_2000]

Thanks