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impression verbs make an impression • Think about what sort of impression you want to make. give an impression • Her speech definitely gave the impression that she was enthusiastic about the project. create an impression ( also convey an impression formal ) • Arriving late won’t create a very good impression. get an impression • What sort of impression did you get of the city? leave an impression on somebody (= make someone remember a person, place, or thing ) • Janet certainly left an impression on him. adjectives a good/positive impression • He was keen to make a good impression on his boss. a bad/negative impression • Arriving late for an interview gives a very negative impression. sb’s first/initial/immediate impression • My first impression was that Terry’s version of the events was untrue. a clear/vivid impression • He had the clear impression that most people were in favour of the idea. a vague impression (= not very clear ) • Dave only had a vague impression of the man who had attacked him. a strong/deep impression (= one that someone feels very strongly ) • She made a strong impession on me the first time I met her. a lasting impression (= one that someone remembers for a long time ) • Sam’s performance had clearly made a lasting impression on the audience. the overwhelming/overriding impression (= an impression that is stronger than all others ) • The overwhelming impression after the meeting was one of optimism. an indelible impression formal (= lasting for ever ) • Alan’s wartime experiences had left an indelible impression on him. a wrong/misleading impression • The advertisement gave a misleading impression of the product. a false/mistaken impression • He had the mistaken impression that Julia was married. • Many people got the false impression she didn’t care. the overall/general impression • The general impression was of a very efficiently run company. the distinct impression (= used when something seems very clear to you ) • We were left with the impression that the contract was ours if we wanted it. sb’s personal impression • My personal impression is that the new manager has greatly improved things. phrases first impressions count (= the impression you make when you first meet someone is important ) • When attending a job interview, remember that first impressions count.
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noun idea/feeling/opinion about sth ADJ. distinct, firm, strong | main, overriding, overwhelming | convincing | clear, vivid | fleeting, vague | accurate | distorted, erroneous, false, mistaken, misleading, spurious, wrong | good The village gives a good impression of what a medieval city would have looked like. | favourable | negative | opposite | early, first, immediate, initial First impressions can be misleading. | final | general, overall | general, widespread There is a widespread impression that schooling needs to be improved. | public | personal, subjective VERB + IMPRESSION form, gain, get, have, obtain, receive I got the distinct impression that you disliked her. | convey, create, give (sb), leave sb with, provide (sb wtih) The book leaves you with a distorted impression of politics. | maintain She was trying to maintain the impression that she was in control. | confirm | heighten, reinforce, strengthen | avoid It was difficult to avoid the impression that he was assisting them for selfish reasons. | correct I must correct a false impression that I gave you just now. | record She recorded her impressions of the city in her diary. IMPRESSION + VERB count When it comes to finding a partner, first impressions do count. PREP. under a/the ~ I was under the impression that you weren't coming until tomorrow. | ~ about I had the wrong impression about him. | ~ as to mistaken impressions as to the strength of the market effect that an experience/person has on sb/sth ADJ. considerable, deep, powerful, profound, strong, tremendous | superficial | abiding, indelible, lasting | excellent, favourable, good, great | bad, poor, unfavourable | false, misleading, wrong | right If you want to create the right impression, I suggest you wear a suit. | first, immediate The new striker failed to make an immediate impression on the team. VERB + IMPRESSION create, leave, make PREP. ~ on/upon The day's events left a lasting impression on them. drawing ADJ. artist's VERB + IMPRESSION issue The police have issued an artist's impression of the attacker. amusing copy of sb ADJ. good, reasonable VERB + IMPRESSION do He does some very good impressions of pop stars. mark left on an object VERB + IMPRESSION bear The sealing wax bore the impression of a sailing ship.