correct

Even people who are usually wrong can be right sometimes, even if just by accident. From the idea that the stationary hands of a broken clock will still display the correct time at two points during the 24-hour cycle. I know you're sick of Gran's lectures and think she's out of touch, but you can learn a lot from her. Just keep in mind that even a dead clock is correct twice a day! A: "You know how I feel about the mayor, but even I think he's right this time." B: "Even a dead clock is correct twice a day."

All people or things being tallied are present, or their location or status is known or has been considered. Primarily heard in UK. A: "Have you finished checking the inventory?" B: "Yes sir, all present and correct."

Used to introduce a piece of information one believes is true, especially as a means of correcting someone else. A: "I suggest you decompile the code in its entirety and then run a debug." B: "Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but won't that cause the debugger to crash?" Correct me if I'm wrong, Sam, but isn't it your responsibility to make sure these bugs are fixed prior to release?

Describing statements or behavior careful to avoid offense or insensitivity. Our CEO is constantly being criticized in the media because he rarely makes politically correct speeches.

To admit that one was incorrect or has been proven wrong. A: "No, John, the wedding was in Nevada, not Utah." B: "Oops, I stand corrected."

to admit that one has been wrong. I realize that I accused him wrongly. I stand corrected. We appreciate now that our conclusions were wrong. We stand corrected.

Also, PC or p.c. Showing an effort to make broad social and political changes to redress injustices caused by prejudice. It often involves changing or avoiding language that might offend anyone, especially with respect to gender, race, or ethnic background. For example, Editors of major papers have sent out numerous directives concerning politically correct language . This expression was born in the late 1900s, and excesses in trying to conform to its philosophy gave rise to humorous parodies.

Agree that one was wrong, as in I stand corrected-we did go to Finland in 1985. This idiom was first recorded in John Dryden's The Maiden Queen (1668): "I stand corrected, and myself reprove."

Avoidance of speaking or behaving in a way that would offend anyone’s sensibilities concerning race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic levels, or politics. Surprisingly, this cliché of the latter twentieth century, well known enough to be sometimes abbreviated as P.C., was used in 1793 by J. Wilson in the U.S. House of Representatives: “‘The United States,’ instead of the ‘People of the United States,’ is the toast given. This is not politically correct” (cited by the OED). Presumably Mr. Wilson here was referring to precision in political language. The current meaning of the phrase did not surface until the mid-1900s and was a cliché by the 1990s. The negative, politically incorrect, is also sometimes used. A letter to the editor of the Chicago Daily Herald, writing about the proposed building of a Muslim mosque near ground zero in New York City, said, “Is it not ‘politically incorrect’ for a Muslim mosque to be built in this area?” (Georgene Beazley, August 21, 2010). And a character discussing a possible suspect, “Just keep an eye on him. These guys usually screw up. Most of them don’t think what they’re doing is wrong, just politically incorrect” (Nevada Barr, Burn, 2010).