make an impression

Idioms  

1. Produce a strong effect on one. This phrase is often qualified with an adjective such as good, bad, strong, or the like. For example, He tried to make a good impression on his girlfriend's parents, or Be careful or you'll make a bad impression on the jury, or You made quite an impression with that speech. [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

make an impression

Walker, a 65-year-old London consultant, said she had yet to "make an impression" of the former mayor of Greater Manchester, who was parachuted into the top office by the Labour Party.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

So for Super Bowl LX, the fake-brain industry is working to make an impression on our real brains by turning to the cryptocurrency bubble’s onetime game plan—and bringing in all your favorite celebrities.

From Slate ● Feb. 8, 2026

"It's a schoolgirl error for me, a new signing wanting to make an impression, and that's not the impression you'd want."

From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026

But he usually managed to make an impression on opposing teams anyway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

Yet it is always the thin gray grocery sums that make an impression.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• affect
• disturb
• excite
• grab
• impress
• influence
• inspire
• mark
• move
• stir
• strike
• stroke
• upset