leave an impression

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   To make someone remember you or form an opinion about you because of how you behaved.

   Grammar: Takes an object: leave an impression on someone. The verb leave changes with tense.

   Patterns

   • leave an impression on someone
   • leave a good impression
   • leave a bad impression
   • leave the impression that …

   Her calm answers left an impression on the interview panel.

   He wanted to leave a good impression on his girlfriend's parents.

   The messy office left a bad impression on the visitors.

2. 2phraseidiom

   To make people believe something, often without saying it directly.

   Grammar: Usually followed by that and a clause, or by of: leave the impression that/of.

   Patterns

   • leave the impression that …
   • leave the impression of something

   His silence left the impression that he disagreed.

   The report leaves the impression of a company in trouble.

Common combinations

leave a lasting impression

That trip left a lasting impression on me.

leave a good impression

Arrive early if you want to leave a good impression.

leave a bad impression

Shouting at the waiter left a bad impression.

leave an impression on someone

Her kindness left an impression on everyone at the shelter.

leave the impression that

The empty seats left the impression that nobody cared.

Synonyms and how they differ

make an impression

Very close in meaning, but make an impression usually suggests a stronger, more immediate effect.

come across as

Focuses on the opinion people form from your manner; it does not take the object 'an impression'.

Word family

impression noun

The opinion or feeling someone forms about you or something.

impressive adjective

Describing something that causes admiration.

Commonly confused: leave an impression or make an impression?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words