on file

Idioms  

1. In or as if in a record for easy reference. For example, There's no job open right now, but we'll keep your résumé on file. The use of file in the sense of “a collection of papers stored for ready reference” dates from the early 1600s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on file

About 92% of U.S. health providers now encourage or require prepayment or collect a payment method on file during the medical estimate process.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

“I’d often get a call that would say, ‘Hey, we need to be on file with this in less than 24 hours, get whatever resources you need, just make it happen,’” Hilton recalls.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

Stearn said he was unaware of the suspended status until The Times notified him about it, and noted that it appeared the state agency had the wrong address on file for the foundation.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

The jury could not reach a verdict on the assault charge and the Crown Prosecution Service did not seek a retrial, so the count was allowed to lie on file.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

Today most Americans have their tissue on file somewhere.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• documented
• listed
• registered
• reported
• taped