leave (one's) mark
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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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
leave your mark
orleave 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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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).Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017