File a Report: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：submit a report (file a report)

file a report 🔊

/faɪl ə rɪˈpɔːrt/

v. phrase

To officially give a written or recorded statement about something that happened to an authority like the police, your company, or school.

Person filing a report on computer with official form

submit a report 🔊

➕

/səbˈmɪt ə rɪˈpɔːrt/

v. phrase

To formally present a document or statement to an authority, such as a police report, expense claim, or incident record, for official processing or recordkeeping.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'filum' (thread); documents were once strung on thread for storage.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a file cabinet: you 'file' the report by placing it inside the drawer.

📖 Example

When my work computer stopped working, I had to file a report with the IT department so they could fix it. 🔊 When my work computer stopped working, I had to file a report with the IT department so they could fix it.

🔗 Collocations

file a police report – to make a formal complaint to the police

file an incident report – to document a workplace event or accident

file a report with – to submit a report to a specific authority or department

🔄 Synonyms

submit a report (v. phrase) – to hand in a document for review or processing

lodge a report (v. phrase) – to formally present a complaint or record

register a complaint (v. phrase) – to officially record a grievance or issue

🚫 Antonyms

withdraw a report (v. phrase) – to retract a previously filed document

ignore a report (v. phrase) – to not take action on a submitted record

🌱 Derivatives

filer (n.) – a person who files a report

filing (n.) – the act of submitting a document

unfiled (adj.) – not yet submitted or recorded

📖 Cultural Story

In modern workplaces, 'filing a report' is a standard procedure for documenting incidents or requests, often via digital forms or official paperwork.