on tape
Captured for playback
On tape means recorded on audio or video medium—originally magnetic tape, now any recording format.
Something captured on tape exists as documentary evidence: The whole conversation is on tape.
Getting it on tape means securing a recording, whether for journalism, law enforcement, or personal proof.
The phrase persists even though most recording is now digital.
- playbackReproducing recorded media
- rewindReturn to beginning
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
- VHSAnalog tape format
- BetamaxDefunct videocassette format
surveillance · security camera · pause · stop · oral history · proof · bootleg · incriminating · smoking gun · wiretap · secret recording · courtroom · Nixon · investigation · evidence · reel · documentary · video
on tapelive
To exist or dwell
in real time · as it happens · live broadcast · simulcast · unrecorded
on tapeunrecorded
Not written down
undocumented · off the record · unpreserved · ephemeral · erased
tape, taper, taped, tapes, taping, tapestry, videotape, duct tape, mixtape