to leave a mark
18
3.9
- phrasal verb
- /liːv ə mɑrk/
- Informal
:
dejar huella
- Things like this, given or received, were what he thought left a mark on a person's life.
But he really left a mark on, well, more than one mark on this world.
- But he really left a mark on, well, more than one mark on this world.
- But make no mistake, he left a mark on the House of Representatives in my view.
- What is really what really leaves a mark is the criticism to your craft and your work.
- So if anything, I hope to leave a mark of like, I, I, you can talk about things and still, still and, and not have to sacrifice any pride.
Examples
-
While historical events quickly overwhelmed his legacy, the name Edward Arista Vincent belongs among those professionals who sought to make a life in the South and leave a mark on the region.
Academic text (2011) -
The point of the exercise was to show them that even if you didn't mean to leave a mark on someone, you do, and despite your best efforts, you can't always reverse the change you've caused in someone.
Blog text (11) -
Perhaps the episode left a mark on his life forever.
Fiction book (1993) -
The past always leaves a mark.
Academic text (2007) -
But make no mistake, he left a mark on the House of Representatives in my view.
-
It gives you such a sense of joy to know you are in some way leaving a mark in someone else's life.
Blog text (17) -
His inspiring speech left a mark on everyone in the audience.
-
The charity event aimed to leave a mark on the local community.
-
Great leaders often leave a mark that influences future generations.
Synonyms
∞
3.0
To cause a change in a person or thing
255
3.4
To have a strong effect on someone or something
26
5.5
To make someone suddenly understand how serious something is
11
4.1
To get noticed for your work in an area, for example in art or business
8
6.2
To make a clear change in results or numbers
1
6.4
To make someone feel a strong personal connection
Get recognition and success in a field
Antonyms
How Impactful
55
6.6
523
3.4
- Informal
18
3.9
∞
1.0
48
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to have a lasting impact' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'leave' (to cause or let remain) with 'mark' (a trace or scar), so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer the metaphor of leaving a visible or emotional trace. This literal-to-metaphorical extension is common across languages and follows a straightforward compositional pattern, making it readily understandable at B1.
Etymology
Leave a mark comes from a simple image: to leave something behind and a mark is a visible sign, like a stain or scratch. So when a person or event makes a sign that stays, we say they 'have a lasting impact', which is why leave a mark means to make a long-lasting effect.