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

You've only got three minutes to make an impression at Eurovision.

From BBC ● May 8, 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

The most time-consuming part of the job involves crafting a counter, thick card stock that pushes the paper into the copper plate to make an impression, essentially serving as a negative.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026

“Well, I am going to make an impression, one way or another. And I cannot take one minute less than an hour and three-quarters to do it.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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