total recall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized; Technical (psychology); Informal/Colloquial (in reference to exceptional memory)
Quick answer
What does “total recall” mean?
the ability to remember everything perfectly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the ability to remember everything perfectly; complete, accurate memory retrieval.
A term also associated with the science fiction concept of artificially implanted memories and a famous 1990 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In business and everyday contexts, it can refer to a comprehensive product retrieval by a manufacturer due to safety issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in related words (e.g., 'memorise' vs. 'memorize'). The film title is identically capitalized in both varieties.
Connotations
Strong association with the 1990 sci-fi film in both cultures. The business sense (product recall) is identical.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US media due to the film's prominence, but widely understood in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “total recall” in a Sentence
[Subject] has total recall of [Memory/Event].[Subject] experienced total recall.It was a case of total recall.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “total recall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – 'total recall' is not used as a verb phrase.
American English
- N/A – 'total recall' is not used as a verb phrase.
adjective
British English
- She has total-recall ability.
- It was a total-recall situation.
American English
- He claims total-recall memory.
- The total-recall event was startling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The faulty battery led to a total recall of the smartphone model."
Academic
"The study's participant claimed total recall of autobiographical events, a claim later investigated."
Everyday
"After the hypnosis, she had total recall of her childhood holiday."
Technical
"The concept of 'total recall' in cognitive science is often debated versus constructed memory theories."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “total recall”
- Using 'total recall' as a verb (e.g., 'I can total recall that day' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'total recall' of a product (mass noun) vs. 'a total recall' (countable in specific contexts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not officially. The formal terms are 'eidetic memory' (for vivid visual recall) or 'hyperthymesia' (for superior autobiographical memory). 'Total recall' is a colloquial or science-fiction term.
Yes. A 'total recall' or 'full recall' in business means a manufacturer retrieves all units of a product from the market, usually due to a dangerous defect.
'Recall' often implies a deliberate effort to bring specific information to mind, while 'remember' can be more general and passive. 'Total recall' implies effortless, complete access.
The 1990 film popularised the phrase in its sci-fi context of implanted memories, making it a cultural reference point. Many people first encountered the term through this film.
the ability to remember everything perfectly.
Total recall is usually specialized; technical (psychology); informal/colloquial (in reference to exceptional memory) in register.
Total recall: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtəʊtl rɪˈkɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtoʊtl rɪˈkɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A memory like an elephant”
- “Remember it like it was yesterday”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TOTAL RECALL: Think of the TOTAL number of facts you can RECALL. Imagine a computer recalling every file perfectly.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A STORAGE CONTAINER (a vault or library that can be completely accessed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'total recall' used as a formal psychological term?