be a marked man/woman
To be singled out or targeted for harm or retaliation of some kind. Ed was a marked man after he alerted the authorities to the influence of the mafia within the city's political sphere. We can't blow the whistle on what they're doing here—we'll be marked women! We'll never get jobs in this industry again. If you crossed the boss, you're a marked man now, buddy. I'd leave town if I were you.
be marked
To be singled out or targeted for harm or retaliation of some kind. Ed was marked after he alerted the authorities to the influence of the mafia within the city's political sphere. I wouldn't blow the whistle on what they're doing if I were you. You'll be marked—you won't ever get a job in this industry again. He's marked for life for his corrupt dealings as governor. He'll never truly be safe.
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!
mark (someone or something) as (something)
1. To place a mark on someone or something to signify their or its state or condition. It's a tedious task, but you'll have to use these stickers to manually mark each item as new, used, or unknown. The bouncer marked us as "Legal" with a big rubber stamp after checking our IDs.
2. To place a mark next to someone's or something's name on a list to indicate a particular status. Go through the guest list and mark each person as either present or absent.
3. To serve as an indication or piece of evidence that someone or something is a particular type of person or thing. Your outdoorsy clothing and massive backpack marked you as a tourist before you even opened your mouth.
4. To come to the conclusion that someone or something is a particular type of person or thing. I had always marked him as a bit of a doofus, but it turns out he's smarter than he looks.
mark (someone or something) down as (something)
1. To place a mark next to someone's name on a list to indicate a particular status. (In each of these usages, "down" is sometimes used directly after "mark.") Go through the guest list and mark down each person as either present or absent. I marked over 20 items down as missing from the inventory, so I felt pretty certain someone had been stealing from the warehouse.
2. To serve as an indication or piece of evidence that someone or something is a particular type of person or thing. Your outdoorsy clothing and massive backpack marked you down as a tourist before you even opened your mouth. The overwhelmingly positive reviews mark this place as one of the must-see spots in the city.
3. To come to the conclusion that someone or something is a particular type of person or thing. I had always marked him down as a bit of a doofus, but it turns out he's smarter than he looks. The oppressive government marks down dissenting opinions as political agitation.
mark (someone or something) with (something)
1. To make one or more marks on someone or something with a particular material. I've marked all your papers with red ink so that you can see my corrections clearly. The priest marked the celebrants with ash on their foreheads.
2. To place a specific number, letter, or other symbol on someone or something to indicate a particular meaning. The bouncer marked everyone's hands with a large X if they were underage. Mark the crates with a 1 if they are being delivered to Texas, and mark them with a 2 if they are being delivered to New York.
mark (something) in (something)
To make one or more marks on something in a particular medium or material. I've marked all your papers in red ink so that you can see my corrections clearly.
mark (something) with a white stone
obsolete To consider or indicate that something is very favorable, fortunate, or pleasurable. Usually used in passive constructions. Those are days that shall forever be marked with a white stone in my mind.
mark a turning point
To signal or indicate a point at which some event, activity, situation, condition, etc., begins or is able to change or reverse course. Little did I know that the meeting would mark a major turning point in my career. The team's amazing goal from midfield marked a turning point in the game. After that, it seemed like all the momentum shifted to their side.
mark down
1. verb To record or make a note of something, typically by making a mark of some kind with a writing utensil or digitally. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." Did you mark down my score for that last round? Sure, mark me down for a $20 donation.
2. verb To reduce the price of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." Would you be willing to mark it down a little? I'm trying to stick to a budget. Those bananas have all been marked down because they're starting to turn brown.
3. verb To subtract points from an overall score due to an incorrect answer, poor performance, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "down." The gymnast is definitely going to see her score marked down for several small infractions. I would have had a perfect score, but the teacher marked it down for a few spelling mistakes.
4. noun A discount, or a discounted item. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated or written as one word. I always go to the sale rack in the back to take a look at the markdowns. Do they ever offer any mark-downs, or are their prices always the same?
mark off
1. To put a mark of some kind by a name or thing on a list as an indication of something (e.g., completion, attendance, etc.). A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." Please mark off each item on the list if you see it in the warehouse. I'll mark you off when I am satisfied you've done the assignment as I requested.
2. To lower the score or grade of someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." The professor marked me off because I didn't show all of my work. While we really like the internal specs of the phone, we have to mark it off because of the cheap-feeling plastic they used in its body.
3. To establish the perimeter or boundary of some area with a visual marker. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." We'll need to mark off the plots of grass that have already been sprayed with weed-killer. The police marked the crime scene off with yellow tape.
4. To establish or indicate that one person, thing, or group is different or separate from others. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "off." The ability to navigate current technologies with such comfort and proficiency marks off these young people from their parents' generation. The premium build quality really marks this phone off from its competitors.
mark out
1. To draw, establish, or otherwise indicate the boundary of some region or area. A noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "out." We went through with the architect and marked out exactly where our property ended and the neighbors' property began. Please mark out the area you intend to excavate.
2. To indicate something visually (on something else). Let me take a pen and mark the route out on this map for you. The surgeon marked out where the incisions needed to be made with a thick black marker.
3. To cross out, obscure, or destroy something with a mark of some kind. The bouncer marked out the name of each guest as they arrived. Someone took a black felt pen and marked the barcodes out of every book in the library.
4. To indicate, identify, or distinguish someone or something as particular type of person or thing. Usually followed by "as." The way I dressed and the music I listened to had always marked me out as a weirdo and an outcast as a kid. The amount of money the film has made marks it as one of the most financially successful in history.
mark time
To idly wait; to do nothing except observe the passage of time. I wish we had something to do, but we just have to mark time until this thing is published and we get some reviews.
mark up
1. To make markings on something, often in a way that defaces it. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "up." It looks like a child got their hands on these legal documents and marked them up with crayon. We'll have to reprint them. Unfortunately my new white shoes got marked up when I wore them on that walk that turned into a hike.
2. To write on or make informative markings on a document. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "up." I like to mark up my students' papers with a lot of comments in the margins so that they understand the grade I gave them. Please go through the document and mark it up with any suggestions you have.
3. To increase the price of something, especially in the process of setting the initial price, as a way to ensure that a profit is made from its sale. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "mark" and "up." Movie theaters mark up the price of popcorn and candy really high because those are their main money-makers. I expect the store to mark the price up after the holiday sale, so we might as well buy it now.
marked man
A man who is singled out or targeted for harm or retaliation of some kind. After Ed alerted the authorities about the corruption that took place within the company, he became a marked man. I wouldn't blow the whistle on what they're doing if I were you. You'll be a marked man—you won't ever get a job in this industry again.
marked woman
A woman who is singled out or targeted for harm or retaliation of some kind. Janet became a marked woman after she alerted the authorities to the influence of the mafia within the city's political sphere. We can't blow the whistle on what they're doing here—we'll be marked women! We'll never get jobs in this industry again.
X marks the spot
This sign or mark (not necessarily an X) indicates the specific or exact location (of something). I drew an elaborate treasure map for my daughter's birthday, with X marking the spot where I've hidden her presents. If you look at this financial chart, X marks the spot across all of them where the company began to seriously falter.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
mark someone down
[for a teacher] to give someone a low score. He'll mark you down for misspelled words. I marked down Tom for bad spelling.
mark someone or something off
and mark someone or something outto cross off the name of someone or something. They were late, so I marked them off. I marked off the late people. Could you mark that title out? It has been discontinued.
mark something down
1. Lit. to write something down on paper. She marked the number down on the paper. She marked down the number.
2. Fig. to reduce the price of something. We are going to mark all this merchandise down next Monday. We marked down the merchandise.
mark something up
1. to mess something up with marks. Don't mark up your book! Who marked this book up?
2. to grade a paper and make lots of informative marks and comments on it. The teacher really marked up my term paper. Why did you mark my test up so much? I hardly made any errors.
3. to raise the price of something. The grocery store seems to mark the price of food up every week. They don't mark up the price of turkey at Thanks giving.
mark time
Fig. to wait; to do nothing but wait. I'll just mark time till things get better. Do you expect me to just stand here and mark time?
*marked man
Fig. to be someone, usually a male, who is in danger from harm by someone else. (*Typically: be ~; live like ~.) Bob's a marked man. His parents found out that he's skipping school. Fred's a marked man, too. Jack is looking for him to get his money back.
X marks the spot.
This is the exact spot. (Sometimes the speaker will draw an X in the spot while saying this.) This is where the rock struck my car—X marks the spot. Now, please move that table over here. Yes, right here—X marks the spot.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
mark down
Reduce the price of something, as in If they mark down these shoes, I'll buy two pairs. The mark here alludes to the label indicating a price. [Mid-1800s]
marked man, a
Also, marked woman. A person singled out as an object of suspicion, hostility, or vengeance. For example, As a witness to the robbery, he felt he was a marked man, or After her fiasco at the meeting, she was a marked woman-no one would hire her. This idiom was first recorded in 1833.
mark time
Wait idly for something to occur, as in We were just marking time until we received our instructions. This idiom alludes to the literal meaning of marching in place to the time, or beat, of music. [Early 1800s]
mark up
1. Deface by drawing, cutting, or another means of covering something with marks. For example, John was punished for marking up his desk, or These shoes really mark up the floor.
2. Raise the price of something, as in This small shop marks up its merchandise much more than department stores do. [Second half of 1800s]
X marks the spot
This mark shows the location, as in On the postcard, X marks the spot where we picked blueberries. Although the use of a cross or X is probably much older, this term was first recorded in 1813.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.