leave an impression

leave an impression

To have or create a strong impact on someone, whether good or bad (usually specified by an adjective before "impression.") Make sure you brush your hair and wear a clean suit—you want to leave a good impression on your first day in the office. It's clear that the defendant's impassioned speech left a strong impression on the jury.

See also: an, impression, leave

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

leave an impression (on someone)

 and leave someone with an impression

Fig. to provide a lasting memory for someone after one has left. (Akin to make an impression on someone.) Her performance was less than stunning. She didn't leave a very good impression on us.

See also: an, impression, leave

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