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Meaning & use

leave a lasting impression

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌliːv ə ˌlɑːstɪŋ ɪmˈpreʃn/
US/ˌliːv ə ˌlæstɪŋ ɪmˈpreʃn/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    to make someone remember you or your work for a long time because of a strong effect you had

    Grammar: Used with on: leave a lasting impression on someone. The subject is usually a person, performance, or event.

    Patterns

    • leave a lasting impression on someone
    • something leaves a lasting impression

    Her speech at the ceremony left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.

    The small village we visited on holiday left a lasting impression on my children.

    A good teacher can leave a lasting impression that students carry for years.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    to seem very important or special when first seen or experienced, so that people keep noticing it

    Grammar: Often used about buildings, designs, or first meetings. The subject is usually a thing rather than a person.

    Patterns

    • something leaves a lasting impression
    • leave a lasting impression on someone

    The new library leaves a lasting impression on visitors because of its bright, open design.

    His calm manner at the interview left a lasting impression.

    First meetings can leave a lasting impression, so it is worth being prepared.

Common combinations

leave a lasting impression on someone
The documentary left a lasting impression on me.
leave a lasting impression for years
That trip left a lasting impression for years afterward.
make a lasting impression
She made a lasting impression with her kindness.
a lasting impression
The painting made a lasting impression on the whole class.

Synonyms and how they differ

make an impact
More general and often used about events or changes; it does not always suggest that the effect stays in someone's memory.
stick in someone's mind
Focuses on memory rather than the effect you have on others, and is more informal.
stand out
Means to be easily noticed, but it does not say that the memory lasts.

Word family

impressive adjective
causing admiration or respect
impression noun
the feeling or opinion you get about someone or something
lasting adjective
continuing for a long time

Commonly confused: leave a lasting impression or make a lasting impression?

leave a lasting impression vs make a lasting impression

This is also common, but it often means you are the one being noticed, while leave a lasting impression focuses on the effect you create in someone else.

Practice

The young musician's performance ______ a lasting impression on the judges.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “leave a lasting impression”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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