to mark the occasion
7
3.3
- phrasal verb
- To mark the occasion, he sent an open letter to all of the employees, thanking them for their efforts.
- ceremony to mark the occasion
- planned to mark the occasion
- dance event to mark the occasion
Examples
-
Would you like to say a few words to mark the occasion?
-
We haven't quite decided how to mark the occasion.
-
Would you like to say a few words to mark the occasion?
-
Now here we are at the final reunification of the sports programs, and apparently thousands will gather to mark the occasion.
Blog text (1) -
Whether it's a holiday, birthday, wedding, baby, or anniversary, we want to mark the occasion with a choice that will bring a smile to the recipient's face.
Blog text (22) -
Parades, celebrations, and fireworks will mark the occasion in cities and towns throughout the United States.
Blog text (11) -
Before Lady Dustan left Selwyn Park to return to London, she arranged for a small party at the manor house, wishing to mark the occasion of her departure.
Fiction book (1998) -
To mark the occasion, they asked one of Eilaf II's sons to return to his hometown and preach a sermon on the merits and miracles of the saints.
Academic text (2018) -
We organized a surprise party to mark the occasion of her retirement.
-
The company held a special dinner to mark the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
Synonyms
∞
1.4
To join fun events to mark a special day or achievement
105
3.3
Celebrate an important event with a ceremony or activity
68
5.8
To remember someone or something with a ceremony
Antonyms
How Celebratory
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'mark' (to celebrate or note) combined with 'occasion' (an event) directly yields the meaning 'to celebrate or commemorate an event.' This verb + noun composition is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reliably infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Mark the occasion comes from the simple image of making a mark — like a cross on a calendar or a small plaque — on the day of an occasion to show it was special. So, it now means 'to celebrate' or to do something special to remember an event.