mark (one) for life

mark (one) for life

To greatly affect, alter, or impair one's memory or psyche for the rest of one's life. Often used in passive constructions. Seeing her parents die in such a terrible manner marked the poor girl for life. I hope such a traumatic event like that won't mark him for life!

See also: for, life, mark

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

mark someone for life

Fig. to affect someone for life. The tragedy marked her for life and she was never the same. She was marked for life by her brother's untimely death.

See also: for, life, mark

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.