rewrite the history books

rewrite the history books

1. To create a false narrative about how a historical event happened so as to promote one's own personal agenda or beliefs. The government is being accused of rewriting the history books by instructing schools to use textbooks that paint its formation 200 years ago (and the subsequent decimation of the indigenous population here) in a more positive light.
2. To achieve a level of success that sets a new record or goes against a history of performing poorly. Used especially in reference to sports. After missing out on the playoffs for nearly 50 years in a row, the team has been on a huge winning streak this season, and it has a chance to rewrite the history books by not only making the playoffs, but winning the whole championship. The up-and-coming player is rewriting the history books with his stunning debut year on the field.
See also: book, history, rewrite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • rewrite
  • rewrite history
  • go to the stake
  • might makes right
  • a value judgement
  • live (one's) own life
  • live your own life
  • (one's) (true) stripes
  • (one's) true color(s)
  • stripe
References in periodicals archive
"We rewrite the history books to instill in the minds of those who will come after us that the demand for a just, dignified, and lasting peace requires revisiting the past before facing the future," he said.
CHRIS Chester could not hide his delight after Wakefield Trinity beat Huddersfield Giants 22-4 to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season and rewrite the history books.
Five in a row The win at Bramall Lane helped Villa rewrite the history books. It's now five on the bounce in the league for the first time since 1998.
But fresh proposals to clean up the sport mean it could be erased with plans to rewrite the history books in an attempt to erase a raft of dodgy marks set by suspected dopers.
SEVILLA coach Unai Emery has warned his players they will have to produce a "perfect" performance to rewrite the history books.
ROSS Ford has told his Scotland team-mates they should not fear another Calcutta Cup defeat to England - but instead relish the chance to rewrite the history books.
But it's still too early to rewrite the history books, and Alaska, after wasting its third straight chance to win its first Philippine Cup title since 2000, sure is motivated to close out the series for one final time on Wednesday night at Mall of Asia Arena for Game 7.
But it is the run of six wins in a row that has seen Sunderland rewrite the history books.
Rooney has another chance to rewrite the history books tonight when Wembley hosts England's latest Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.
TEAM WALES continued to rewrite the history books in Glasgow last night as they celebrated a record Commonwealth Games medal haul.
EIGHT years after making history by scoring Australia's first goal in a World Cup finals, former Everton hero Tim Cahill is looking to rewrite the history books once again in Brazil.
Meanwhile, Dario Franchitti is looking to rewrite the history books today when he bids to win the Indy 500 for a fourth time.
and now she wants to rewrite the history books again in Rio four years from now.
And the jubilant Scot was quick to praise the influence of hometown star Bellamy in helping City rewrite the history books.
The hosts were already up against it, to rewrite the history books in a chase of 346 to share the Investec series and salvage their world number one status, before losing both openers with only six runs on the board last night.