leave/make your/its mark

leave (one's) mark

To do something that will be remembered or that makes one famous or successful; to do something that is very important or meaningful. The actress first left her mark with her incredible performance as Lady Macbeth on Broadway. I chose to pursue a career in medical research so that I might someday leave my mark on the world with a groundbreaking discovery.

See also: leave, mark

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

leave your mark

or

leave a mark

COMMON If someone or something leaves their mark or leaves a mark on someone or something, they change them or have a lasting effect on them. He now has five more years in office and would still dearly like to leave his mark on the world. I lived abroad, in Asia, for four years, and this is an experience that tends to leave its mark. Hani left an indelible mark on the politics of South Africa.

See also: leave, mark

make your mark

or

make a mark

COMMON

1. If you make your mark or make a mark, you do something which causes you to become noticed or famous. Today we look at the new generation of Japanese directors making their mark in world cinema. She's only been with the company for three months but she's certainly made her mark. He was new to politics and had not yet made a mark.

2. If something makes its mark or makes a mark, it starts to be noticed or to have an effect. The film has already made its mark in terms of awards. If cricket ever made a mark in the United States, it would be guys like Bevan who would sell it.

See also: make, mark

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

leave (or make) its (or your or a) mark

have a lasting or significant effect.

See also: leave, mark

make your mark

become famous and successful.

See also: make, mark

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌleave/ˌmake your/its ˈmark (on something/somebody)

do something important, that has a lasting effect or makes a lasting impression (on something/somebody): As Minister for Education, he left his mark on British politics. ♢ Her two unhappy marriages have left their mark (= have made her an unhappy person).

See also: leave, make, mark

ˌmake your ˈmark

become famous because you are very good at something: He’s an actor who has made his mark in comedy shows.

See also: make, mark

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017