impress (something) (up)on (someone)
1. To press or push something into something else in order to make a mark or print. I impressed the baby's footprint on the sheet of paper. After you impress the stamp upon the envelope, the ink will still be wet, so be very careful not to smudge it. I guess everything's official now that the notary has impressed her seal on our documents!
2. To put forth effort so that someone learns or remembers something. I try to impress the importance of strong morals upon my kids every day. Guys, what will it take to impress upon you the need to vacuum everyday? I'm only on time because my mom impressed it on me that I needed to be here at 7:00.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
impress something (up)on someone
to make someone fully aware of something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) You must impress these facts upon everyone you meet. She impressed its importance on me.
impress something (up)on something
to press something into the surface of something, leaving a mark. The ribbing of my socks impressed a pattern upon my calves. The heavy vase impressed its outline on the pine tabletop.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
impress on
or impress uponv.1. To produce something, as a mark or pattern, on a surface by pressure; imprint something on a surface: We impressed the stencil outline on the fabric.
2. To impart a strong or vivid impression of something in the mind of someone: The singing coach impressed her theories of music on me.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.