impressionim‧pres‧sion /ɪmˈpreʃən/ ●●○ S3 W2 noun 
When we looked around the school we got a very good impression. I got the impression that she wasn't very happy with her job.impression of What was your impression of Roger?► see thesaurus at idea2be under the impression (that) to believe that something is true when it is not: I’m sorry, I was under the impression that you were the manager.3[countable] if you do an impression of a famous person, you copy their speech or behaviour in order to make people laugh SYN imitation: Jean does a great impression of Madonna.4[countable] a picture or drawing of what someone or something might look like, or what something will look like in the futureimpression of an artist’s impression of the new building5[countable] a mark left by pressing something into a soft surface: Some of the fallen trees had left a clear impression in the hardened mud.6[countable] all the copies of a book printed at one timeCOLLOCATIONSverbsmake 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.adjectivesa 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.somebody’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 impression 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.somebody’s personal impression· My personal impression is that the new manager has greatly improved things.phrasesfirst impressions count (=the impression you make when you first meet someone is important)· When attending a job interview, remember that first impressions count.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- An impression of a heel was left in the mud.
- For some reason she got the impression that you didn't like her.
- If she joked with him, he would think she was flirting, and she didn't want him to get the wrong impression.
- In an interview don't say anything negative about your current employer - it gives a bad impression.
- In her book, she gives the impression that she was a close friend of the Prince, but in fact she only met him twice.
- My first impression of England was of a grey and rainy place.
- We got the impression that Sally wasn't very pleased to see us.
- What's your impression of Frank as a boss?
- Above all, Alida Thorne said to herself, she must not receive the impression of neglect.
- He thought about the two girls in the shop doorway, surprised by the detailed impression they had left on his memory.
- I get the impression that opposition teams have unconsciously downgraded Leeds because of the last twelve months and are caught off guard.
- Nor was the impression of physical strength deceptive.
- Seattle had made an impression on at least some of those executives.
- The forest and the land left their impression on the people.
- The glossy paint is applied in many flat layers, so you get a contradictory impression of depth.
- Therefore, instead of showing the strategy you use you are really showing the value of first impressions.
THESAURUS
something that you think of, especially something that you could do or suggest: · I think that’s an excellent idea.· Let me know if you have any good ideas.
something that comes into your mind: · The thought had entered my mind that he might be lying.· It was a worrying thought.· She was lost in her thoughts.
the idea that you have in your mind about what someone or something is like: · What was your impression of him?
a good and original idea, which makes you think of doing or creating something: · Where did you get your inspiration from for the book?· He suddenly had a flash of inspiration.· The design for the house was entirely the inspiration of the architect.
British English, brainstorm American English a sudden new and clever idea, especially one that solves a problem: · I thought I’d have to sell the house, but then I had a brainwave.
an idea of how something is, or how something should be done: · Concepts of beauty are different in different cultures.· the traditional concept of marriage
an idea about life or society, especially one that is a little silly or old-fashioned: · There is no evidence to support the notion that poverty is caused by laziness.
Longman Language Activatorto copy someone or something to make people laugh to copy what someone says or does, in order to make people laugh: · She's really good at imitating our teacher's Scottish accent.
to copy the way someone famous moves, talks etc, in order to make people laugh: · He made her laugh hysterically during their walks, with his impression of Gene Kelly doing "Singin' in the Rain.''
to unkindly copy the way someone talks or moves in order to make people laugh: · "Hmm," Phil said. "Hmm," Graham mimicked.· Yolanda mimicked their father opening the letter.
also a take-off on somebody/something American informal a copy of the way someone moves or talks, or of the style of a movie, book, etc that is done to make people laugh: · A local television reporter dubbed him StyroCop - a take-off on the movie "RoboCop'' .do a take-off of/on somebody: · Karen can do a hilarious take-off of Bette Davis.
to impress someone if someone or something impresses you, they are so interesting, intelligent, original etc that you like or admire them very much: · None of the people I've interviewed so far have impressed me.· Quinnell's fifty-yard run down the touchline with the ball in one hand impressed the Wales coach.· What impressed the judges most was the originality of the dancers' performance.impress with: · The boy has impressed his doctors with his courage and determination.
to make someone admire you the first time they see you, so that they like you or approve of you: · When you go for a job interview, you have just a few minutes to make an impression.· Rick looked at the pretty salesgirl and smiled. Sandy could tell that he wanted to make an impression.make an impression on: · George, with his dark hair and blue eyes, made an impression on almost everyone he met.
to make someone admire or like you the first time they see you, for example by dressing or behaving in an impressive way: · Everyone was dressed in their best clothes, eager to make a good impression.make a good impression on/with: · It's pretty important around here to make a good impression with the boss.
to impress the people who are watching or listening to you by seeming intelligent, confident, skilful etc: · It was her first time on TV, but she came across very well.· I thought the play was rather long and slow, and the jokes didn't really come over well.
to pretend to be someone else to behave as if you are someone else and try to make other people believe this: pretend to be somebody: · We pretended to be students and got into the club for free.pretend (that): · They got into the house by pretending they worked for the electricity company.
to pretend that you are cleverer, richer, more important etc than you really are: · Richard led us around the art gallery, making himself out to be some kind of expert on modern art.· What I don't like about her is that she makes herself out to be something special.
to behave as though you are someone with official power or someone famous, either for dishonest reasons or in order to entertain people: · I got home to find him impersonating Elvis Presley in front of the mirror.· It's illegal to impersonate a police officer.
to speak, walk, or behave like someone else, in order to make people laugh: do an impersonation/do an impression of: · Stuart did a brilliant impersonation of the boss.· a comedian with his own TV show, who does impressions of famous politicians
when you pretend to be someone else and behave as they would behave, especially as a way of learning about a situation or developing a skill: · The course uses role play to teach you how to deal with difficult or aggressive customers.
to pretend to be someone else, especially someone in an official position, in order to make it easier for you to do something bad or illegal: · He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital.· There have been cases of thieves posing as telephone engineers to trick people into letting them into their homes.
to pretend that you are someone else, especially by dressing or behaving in the way that they do - used especially in literature and stories: · He got into the stadium masquerading as a security guard.· A journalist masquerading as a businessman approached the politicians, and offered them bribes.
to change your appearance, especially your clothes, so that you look like someone else and people cannot recognize you: · He escaped across the border disguised as a priest.disguise yourself as: · Maybe you could disguise yourself as a waiter and sneak in there.
the way something seems if someone or something has the appearance of being a particular kind of person or thing, they seem to be like that, but in fact they may not be: give the appearance of (=seem like): · Karen gives the appearance of being confident, but she isn't really.· The wall was painted with little squares to give the appearance of mosaic.appearances can be deceptive (=what seems to be true may not be true): · This mushroom looks harmless enough, but appearances can be deceptive and it is in fact very poisonous.
your impression of someone or something is the way they seem to you: impression of: · What's your impression of Frank as a boss?get the impression (that) (=think something is a fact because it seems true): · We got the impression that Sally wasn't very pleased to see us.· For some reason she got the impression that you didn't like her.give the impression (that) (=make people believe something, by making it seem to be true): · In her book, she gives the impression that she was a close friend of the Prince, but in fact she only met him twice.a good/a bad/the wrong impression: · In an interview don't say anything negative about your current employer - it gives a bad impression.· If she joked with him, he would think she was flirting, and she didn't want him to get the wrong impression. first impression (=how someone or something seems to you the first time you see them): · My first impression of England was of a grey and rainy place.
: semblance of truth/normality/stability etc when something seems to be true, normal etc - use this especially in negative sentences when something seems only very slightly true, normal etc, or to say that it does not seem this at all: · Any semblance of democracy quickly disappeared when the military government announced it was taking over.· A novel needs to have some semblance of truth, or the reader will quickly lose interest in it.
to seem if someone or something seems happy, dishonest, true etc, that is what you think they are, even though you are not completely certain: seem nice/happy/strange etc (to somebody): · Katie seems happy at her new school.· The whole situation seems very strange to me.seem to be/do something: · Lack of money seems to be the main problem.· Ricky graduated, but didn't seem to know what to do with his life. He was drifting.it seems (that)/it seems to somebody (that) (=use this to say what you think about a situation): · It seems that someone forgot to lock the door.· It seemed to Jim that Amy was worried about something.seem like especially spoken (=seem to be): · Kevin seems like a nice guy.· "Why did you move to New York?" "It seemed like a good idea at the time."there seems to be: · There seems to be something wrong with the TV.it seems as if: · There were so many delays - it seemed as if we would never get home.it seems likely/possible/probable (that): · It seems likely that they will release the hostages soon.
formal to seem: appear to be/do something: · My father appeared to be in good health.· The archaeologists uncovered both domestic structures and what appear to have been commercial buildings.appear calm/rude/angry etc: · It's difficult to ask someone their age without appearing rude.· The city appeared calm after the previous night's fighting.it appears (that): · Police said it appeared that John Seidler's death was an accident, but an investigation continues.
if someone or something looks good, bad, tired etc, that is how they seem to you when you look at them: · That book looks interesting.· Warren looked tired after his long drive.· We had run out of money, and the situation looked pretty hopeless.look like something: · She's really pretty - she looks like a model.· The burglar was holding what looked like a shotgun.look as if: · You look as if you haven't slept all night.it looks as if (=use this to say how a situation seems to you): · It looks as if we are going to need more help.
if someone or something sounds good, bad, strange, angry etc, that is how they seem to you when you hear about them, read about them, or hear them: · Istanbul sounds really exciting.· He sounds a pretty strange person.· I called my dad and told him what has happened. He sounded really angry. sound like: · "We're all going clubbing tomorrow night." "That sounds like fun." it sounds (to me) as if (=use this to say how a situation seems to you when you hear about it): · It sounds to me as if he needs to see a doctor.
to seem to have particular qualities or characteristics, especially because of the way you talk to or behave towards other people: · In the book, Strayhorn comes across as a sympathetic human being, while Stan Getz emerges as a volatile character with a violent temper.come across as being something: · He often comes across as being rather cold and arrogant.come across well/badly: · She doesn't come across well in interviews, but she's very good at her job.
if someone or something gives the impression that something about them is true, they make other people think it is true, especially when it is not: give the impression (that): · Paul liked to give everyone the impression that he knew a lot about cars.· We always leave the lights on when we go out at night, to give the impression there's someone in the house.give the impression of: · Mirrors are used in the dining room in order to give the impression of space.
if a person or situation strikes you as strange, interesting, unusual etc, this is your opinion of how they seem: · What strikes me as odd is the fact that she didn't report the burglary to the police.· She didn't strike me as the type who would want to become a teacher.strike somebody as being/having something: · He never struck me as being very interested in politics.
if someone or something shows signs of age, improvement, tiredness etc, some features of their appearance or behaviour make them seem old, better, tired etc: · The economy is showing no signs of any improvement.· Doctors at the hospital say Mr Crowther is beginning to show signs of recovery, although he is still in intensive care.show signs of doing something: · If the soil shows signs of drying out, water it sparingly.
if a thing or event has all the hallmarks of something, it has all the typical features of someone's work or actions, and therefore seems to have been done or made by them: · The explosion has all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.· The painting isn't signed by Matisse, but it has all the hallmarks of one of his later works.
to seem to involve or be caused by a particular attitude, feeling, or intention, especially a bad one: · The government's new asylum bill seems inhumane, and smacks of racism.· The chairman's decision is disturbing, and smacks of dishonesty.
when something shows that something else is likely to be true to show that something is probably true, even though there is no definite proof: · In fact, the situation is far worse than these figures suggest.suggest (that): · There was nothing in his letter to suggest that he might have been unhappy or depressed.· The drop in trading suggests the Asian economies may be headed for recession.suggest something to somebody: · A child's behavior might suggest to others that there are problems at home.strongly suggest (=show that something is very likely): · The door had not been forced open, which strongly suggests that the victim was known to her killer.
if scientific facts, tests, official figures etc indicate something, they show that it is likely to be true: · How badly reform is needed was indicated recently by the rising youth crime figures.indicate (that): · Research indicates that the drug can be harmful to pregnant women.· Campaign finance records indicate many of the guests were donors to his own party.
to make people think that a particular situation exists, even though this may not actually be true: · She wasn't stupid, though at times she gave that impression.give the impression (that): · The luxurious offices gave the impression that the company had plenty of money to spare.give the impression of: · All this splendour and ceremony may at first give the impression of high culture and sophistication.give the impression that: · He gave me the impression that he didn't really rate my work.
to show that a particular explanation for something is likely to be true or that something is likely to happen in the future: · All the evidence points to a fatty diet being the main cause of heart disease in the West.· The poor economic climate and the attitude of leading executives both point to a grim future.
if a fact or piece of information, especially scientific information, implies something, it shows that it is likely to be true: · Among the ruins there are inscriptions, implying some degree of literacy even in the 9th century BC.· As the examples imply, some markets are local while others are national or international in scope.imply (that): · The results imply that the disease originated in West Africa.
to show that someone or something is likely to be involved in or connected to something, especially something bad or harmful: · According to the prosecution, DNA tests 'irrefutably' implicate Henson.implicate in: · Sexually transmitted diseases have long been implicated in infertility.implicate as: · Seafood is increasingly implicated as the source of the hepatitis A virus. implicate himself/yourself etc (=show, suggest, or prove that he etc has committed a crime): · Simon knew he couldn't possibly provide a blood sample without implicating himself.
formal if something is indicative of an event or situation, it shows that the event or situation is likely to exist or be true, but it is not definite that it does: · Persistent abdominal pain may be indicative of appendicitis.· The absence of any famous female composers is more indicative of male dominance than male genius.
to think that something is true, but not be sure to think something is true, but you are not completely sure. Believe is more formal than think: think/believe (that): · I think Jill moved to the new house last week.· "Is it painted?" "No, I think it's a mosaic."I think so/I believe so (=say this to answer "yes" to a questions when you are fairly sure that something is true): · "Has James gone home?" "Yes, I think so."
to think that something is true, although you have no proof: · You shouldn't just assume things without getting all the facts.assume (that): · I just assumed that the woman standing next to Jack was his wife.· We assume that other industrialized nations are going to help with money for food and other supplies.we can safely assume (=it is reasonably certain): · I think we can safely assume that the practice is legal.
something that you think is true although you have no proof: · Yes the Socialists will probably win -- that seems a fair assumption.make the assumption that: · At that time we had to make the assumption that the disease was spreading and take action to stop it.on the assumption that: · Eden acted on the assumption that his allies would support him.
to wrongly believe that something is true, because of something you have heard or seen: · I was under the impression that you couldn't get a parking ticket on private property.be under the mistaken impression (that): · The average American is under the mistaken impression that wildlife refuges have been set up to protect animals.
to think that something is probably true, especially something bad: suspect (that): · I suspect that he never really loved her.· No one suspected anything was wrong.as somebody suspected: · As we suspected, there is a problem with the braking system, and it will be replaced.
to feel sure that something is true because of information that you have, although there is always some possibility that you are wrong: believe (that): · Police believe that the money was stolen by a gang of youths.believe somebody to be capable/honest/a fool etc: · I had always believed Catherine to be absolutely honest in money matters.firmly believe: · Both sides firmly believe that a peace settlement is now possible.
to be fairly sure of something, especially because you have a good reason to think so, although you have no proof: presume (that): · The committee presumed that its decisions would be carried out.presume somebody/something to be somebody/something: · Many scientists presumed the new damage to the forests to be the result of higher levels of pollution.be presumed innocent/dead/responsible etc: · The defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty.
if you say something presumably is a fact, you think it must be true because of the information you have: · Several of the villagers disappeared, presumably killed by enemy soldiers.· The audience hears the word so many times during the play that presumably they learn what it means if they didn't already know.
to think that something is probably true, especially because of some information you have - use this in written or formal contexts: suppose (that): · We have no reason to suppose that the girl is dead.· There are many reasons to suppose that Shakespeare was familiar with the stories of medieval Italy.
to be sure that something is true without ever asking yourself whether you are right or not: · I never asked if she was single - I just took it for granted.take it for granted (that): · I took if for granted that Steven would still be working for us when the new project started.
what you say when you think something is true, but you are not sure spoken · She'll be here about 9, I think.I think (that) · I think the dog must have eaten it.I think so · "Is Matthew still here?" "I think so -- I've just seen him."I would think so · "Will Jenny be at the meeting?" "I would think so."
spoken say this when you think that something is probably true but you are not really sure: · Having a burglar alarm makes you feel safer, I suppose.I suppose (that): · I suppose we can pay by credit card but we'd better check first.I suppose so (=say this to answer a question): · "Will the children be disappointed?" "Yes, I suppose so."
especially American, spoken say this when you think that something is probably true but you are not really sure: · Rob just got tired of living with her, I guess.I guess (that): · I guess this is the best way to do it.I guess so: · "Is the truck safe to drive now?" "I guess so."
to start to think something is a fact because of various things that happen, because of the way someone is behaving etc: get the impression/feeling/idea (that): · I got the impression she was actually quite nervous about it.· Walking down the main street, you get the feeling that nothing ever happens in this town.· I don't want you to get the idea that I don't like him.get this/that idea: · "He thinks you're angry with them." "Where on earth did he get that idea?"
spoken say this when you think that something is true, although you realize that you may not know all the facts: · As far as I know, Caroline's never been married.· Alaska doesn't have any drilling sites off the coast, as far as I know.
spoken say this when you think that something is likely to be true, although what you say is only based on your opinion: I imagine (that): · I imagine she's stuck in a traffic jam or something.I would imagine (that): · I would imagine that Libby could help you - she knows a lot about legal things.
spoken say this when you want to make it clear that there may be things you do not know about a situation: · As far as I am aware, Mr Cusner and his family are still living in Cleveland, Ohio.
formal spoken say this when you want to make it clear that you are not completely sure about the statement you are making: · To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time that anyone has translated these poems into English.
spoken say this when you think that something is true and you are asking someone else to tell you that you are right: I take it (that): · I take it that you're Rob's sister?· So can we take it that you'll be at the meeting?· You've made plans for the future, I take it?
WORD SETSabstract, nounagony aunt, nounagony column, nounannual, nounanthology, nounantiquarian, adjectiveappendix, nounarticle, nounauthor, nounautobiography, nounback, nounbackslash, nounbackspace, nounballoon, nounbanner headline, nounbestiary, nounbest-seller, nounbibliography, nounbibliophile, nounbind, verbbinder, nounbinding, nounbiographer, nounbiography, nounblackout, nounbold, adjectiveboldface, nounbook, nounbookbinding, nounbooklet, nounbookmark, nounbookmobile, nounbookplate, nounbookseller, nounbookshop, nounbookstall, nounbookstore, nounbound, adjectivebox, nounbraille, nounbroadsheet, nounbrochure, nounbubble, nounbulletin, nounby-line, nouncalendar, nouncaption, nouncarry, verbcatalogue, nouncentrefold, nounchain letter, nounchapbook, nounchapter, nounchequebook journalism, nouncircular, nouncirculation, nouncity desk, nouncity editor, nounclassified ad, nounclip, nounclipping, nouncodex, nouncol, collection, nouncolour supplement, nouncolumn, nouncolumnist, nouncomic, nouncomic strip, nouncommentary, nouncommentator, nouncompanion, nouncompendium, nouncomposition, nouncompositor, nouncontribute, verbcontributor, nouncopy, nouncopy editor, nouncopyist, nouncorrespondent, nouncoursebook, nouncover girl, nouncover story, nouncross-refer, verbcross-reference, nouncutting, noundaily, noundesk, noundiarist, noundiary, noundictionary, noundime novel, noundirectory, noundog-eared, adjectivedoorstep, verbdotted line, noundraft, noundraft, verbDTP, noundust jacket, nouned., edit, verbedition, nouneditor, nouneditorial, nouneditorship, nounemend, verbencyclopedia, nounentry, nounerratum, nounet al, adverbet cetera, adverbexclusive, nounexposure, nounexpurgated, adjectivefeature, nounff, figure, nounfiller, nounfinancial supermarket, Fleet Street, fly leaf, nounfolio, nounfollow-up, nounfont, nounfootnote, nounforeword, nounformat, nounformat, verbfrontispiece, nounfull-page, adjectivefull stop, nounfunny papers, noungagging order, galley, noungazette, noungazetteer, nounghost, verbghost writer, noungloss, noungloss, verbglossary, nounglossy, noungonzo journalism, noungossip column, noungraphic design, nounguide, nounguillotine, nounhack, nounhagiography, nounhalftone, nounhandbill, nounhandbook, nounhardback, nounhardcover, nounheading, nounheadline, nounheadline, verbheadword, nounhistory, nounhumorist, nounillustrate, verbillustration, nounimpression, nounimprimatur, nounimprint, nounindent, verbindentation, nounindex, nounindex, verbinsert, nouninset, nouninset, verbinstalment, nouninterpolate, verbISBN, nounissue, nounitalicize, verbitalics, nounjacket, nounjournal, nounjournalese, nounjournalism, nounjournalist, nounjourno, nounl, landscape, nounlayout, nounleader, nounleading article, nounleaf, nounletter-size, adjectivelibrary, nounlimited edition, nounlined, adjectiveLinotype, nounliterature, nounlocal paper, nounlocal rag, nounloose-leaf, adjectivelower case, nounmag, nounmagazine, nounmanuscript, nounmargin, nounmasthead, nounmezzotint, nounmicrofiche, nounmisprint, nounmonograph, nounmonthly, nounmorocco, nounmuckraking, nounN/A, N.B., news, nounnews agency, nounnewshound, nounnewsletter, nounnewspaper, nounnewsprint, nounnews release, nounnon-fiction, nounnote, nounnotebook, nounnotice, nounnumber, nounobituary, nounoffprint, nounoffset, adjectiveomnibus, nounop. cit., open letter, nounorgan, nounoverleaf, adverboverprint, verbp., pagination, nounpamphlet, nounpamphleteer, nounpap, nounpaparazzi, nounpaper, nounpaperback, nounpaperboy, nounpaper girl, nounpaper round, nounpaper shop, nounpara, passage, nounpaste-up, nounperiodical, nounpersonal ad, nounpersonal column, nounphrasebook, nounpicture book, nounpiece, nounplate, nounpocketbook, nounpp., prequel, nounpress, nounpress baron, nounpress box, nounpress conference, nounpress corps, nounpress cutting, nounpress gallery, nounpressman, nounpress office, nounpress release, nounprint, verbprint, nounprinted matter, nounprinter, nounprinting, nounprinting ink, nounprinting press, nounproblem page, nounproof, nounproofread, verbpublication, nounpublish, verbpublisher, nounpublishing, nounpull-out, nounquarterly, adjectivequarterly, nounquarto, nounquire, nounquotation, nounquote, verbrag, nounreader, nounreadership, nounreading, nounream, nounred ink, nounreference, nounreference book, nounreference library, nounrelease, verbreprint, verbreproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectivereview, nounreview, verbreviewer, nounrevise, verbrevision, nounrider, nounroman, nounsans serif, nounsaturation, nounscare story, nounscoop, nounscoop, verbsection, nounserif, nounset, verbsilk screen, adjectivesketch, nounslipcase, nounsmall ad, nounsoft porn, nounsource, nounspace, nounspine, nounsplash, verbspoiler, nounstay of execution, nounstop press, nounstory, nounstorybook, nounstringer, nounstrip, nounstrip cartoon, nounsub, nounsub, verbsubedit, verbsub-editor, nounsubheading, nounsubscribe, verbsubscriber, nounsubscription, nounsuperscript, adjectivesupplement, nounsymposium, nounsyndicate, verbtable, nountabloid, nountext, nounthumb index, nountitle page, nountome, nountract, nountreatise, nountrot, nountype, nountypeface, nountypescript, nountypesetting, nountypographer, nountypography, nounvanity press, nounvellum, nounvignette, nounvol., volume, nounweekly, nounwell-thumbed, adjectivewoodblock, nounwrite-up, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs What he said made a deep impression on me. I got the distinct impression he was trying to make me angry. The statement gives us a false impression that we understand something when we do not. A smart appearance makes a favourable impression at an interview. Their generosity made a lasting impression on me. Careless spelling mistakes in a letter can create an unfavourable impression.
· Think about what sort of impression you want to make.
· Her speech definitely gave the impression that she was enthusiastic about the project.
(also convey an impression formal)· Arriving late won’t create a very good impression.
· What sort of impression did you get of the city?
(=make someone remember a person, place, or thing)· Janet certainly left an impression on him.
adjectives· He was keen to make a good impression on his boss.
· Arriving late for an interview gives a very negative impression.
· My first impression was that Terry’s version of the events was untrue.
· He had the clear impression that most people were in favour of the idea.
(=not very clear)· Dave only had a vague impression of the man who had attacked him.
(=one that someone feels very strongly)· She made a strong impression on me the first time I met her.
(=one that someone remembers for a long time)· Sam’s performance had clearly made a lasting impression on the audience.
(=an impression that is stronger than all others)· The overwhelming impression after the meeting was one of optimism.
formal (=lasting for ever)· Alan’s wartime experiences had left an indelible impression on him.
· The advertisement gave a misleading impression of the product.
· He had the mistaken impression that Julia was married.· Many people got the false impression she didn’t care.
· The general impression was of a very efficiently run company.
(=used when something seems very clear to you)· We were left with the impression that the contract was ours if we wanted it.
· My personal impression is that the new manager has greatly improved things.
phrases (=the impression you make when you first meet someone is important)· When attending a job interview, remember that first impressions count.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The music conveys a senses of sadness and despair.
What he said made a deep impression on me. I got the distinct impression he was trying to make me angry. The statement gives us a false impression that we understand something when we do not. A smart appearance makes a favourable impression at an interview. Their generosity made a lasting impression on me.· She made a strong impression on me.
Careless spelling mistakes in a letter can create an unfavourable impression.· Everything happens so quickly, though, that all you are left with is a vague impression.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Nothing creates a worse impression than people who are late for meetings.· Contact with Casaubon has given him a bad impression of application, which may produce no product.· Probably a bad impression as I feel that he is good at heart.· To have cancelled the conference would have created an equally bad impression.· If you do you will become muddled and make a bad impression.· When he'd talked to him, he got a bad impression of the man.· Christina did not like them to receive such a bad impression of Crystal Springs.· This kind of thing gives a very bad impression elsewhere.
· The picture gave no clear impression of anyone in particular; it was generic Victorian lady, specific shy poetess.· Tim hers too may char and survive in structures, or at least leave a clear impression in the hardened mud.· One has a clear impression that the Conservative Government has become hostile to local government.
· His energy, his sense of humour and his melodious voice made a deep impression.· It made such a deep impression upon Katch that seventy years later, she could still recite passages from it.· The great toe often left a deep impression similar to the final toeing-off by humans before swinging their foot.· And then he added something which made a deep impression on me.· The article made a deep impression on me and I thought what a wonderful coastline it would be to explore.· There is, too, a sense of timelessness, stillness and silence which leaves a deep impression on visitors.· The Elijah-Elisha saga made a further deep impression on me.· This gives an opportunity for your message to gain more attention from the reader and perhaps to make a deeper impression.
· It gave the distinct impression, I noticed, of being Cortina-shaped.· The boy had the distinct impression he was about to meet some one who would welcome his arrival.· She got the distinct impression that Melissa wasn't best pleased to find that Luke had company.· Once again she got the distinct impression that he didn't want to talk about the sculptor.· Melissa had the distinct impression that he held Iris's chair for a fraction longer than her own.· But I got a distinct impression he didn't want me to see what he was writing.· The Alliance failed to make a distinct impression.· The atmosphere in this dark room was oddly disquieting, giving him the distinct impression that he was not alone.
· This unfortunately gives the-perhaps false-impression, that the text was written or edited in rather a rushed manner.· But he knew that people thought otherwise, and that their false impression was his own fault.· The call, the first by any network, created the false impression that Bush had won the general election.· It made him uneasy to think that a false impression was the basis for his hiring.· Or was that a false impression, created by the odd circumstances of their unexpected arrival here?· Deceptive behaviors are those actions intended to create a false impression of reality.· Taken at face value the words found sinister and can convey a false impression like some sort of second-rate horror movie.· It was one of the false impressions that collected around her.
· I've seen him a few times and he's never made a favourable impression on me!· Unfortunately, an examination of the circumstances in which they were produced gives a much less favourable impression.· She had formed a favourable impression of him then, as an intelligent, sincere, if rather serious man.· But the real beauty of this bass is that the playing of it does not detract from this favourable first impression.· Even in his ignorance, Lucien saw at once that it was essential he make a favourable impression upon this man.· Their fine physique and smart appearance made a very favourable impression.· Voluntary work can provide a framework for job-seeking and will make a favourable impression at an interview.
· We will remember a general impression, but nothing definite.· Most of us can evaluate their performances only on the basis of a general impression and questionable memory.· The snaps these machines took never portrayed her at her best, but they would give the general impression.· He likes the general impression it makes.· The general impression has been that major capital schemes not requiring Treasury approval have been poorly appraised.· They give a good general impression of the size of the figures involved in a clear visual form.· It is inadequate and misleading to rely on general impressions in such churches.· The general impression of investigators is that the great majority of the graduates, in spite of certain difficulties, enjoy their work.
· It conveys a good impression of the stylistic diversity of the woodcut as a medium, from Expressionism to today.· Everyone was walking on eggs, eager to make a good impression for my benefit only.· All this helps make a good impression on the customer.· So much for making a good first impression!· Unfortunately, this did not create a good impression.· Prints, to be valuable, must be good impressions on good quality paper.· She intended to give the best possible impression.
· The atmosphere and hospitality of the Orkneys made a great impression on all our crews.· Christine Gonzalez wanted to be called Christy, did great impressions of television characters and wants to write children stories.· Rolle made a great impression on his contemporaries.· The deserted house and courtyard made a great impression on me because they were my first experience of real disorder and displacement.· Modigliani knew how to adapt himself to his surroundings and made a great impression on the day he came to sketch Bakst.· So great an impression did this make that Geoffrey de Rancon at once surrendered Pons.· The new variegated urban space meant the experience at any one time of a greater number and a greater variety of impressions.· Although, by now, many of the arguments it used had been well aired, the letter created a great impression.
· Getting out didn't make such an indelible impression as going in.· The spectacle before her, half obscured by the lashing spray, left an indelible impression.· It was what happened next that had made such an indelible impression upon Mr Charles.· I suppose things made such indelible impressions on us because we had so little.
· This means that the environment is often very important to the forming of an initial impression.· The evaluators' initial impression was of a school with a fairly traditional outlook but one in which facilities were enviable.· After initial impressions, Bodnar climbed on to some concrete slabs and stood back to inspect the first fruits of his design skills.· Despite the 12:1 contrast ratio claimed for the screen, my initial impression was that it was poor.· Lack of urgency is the initial impression.· His Lordship's initial impression was that the case fitted more readily into a contractual than a proprietary slot.· Certainly my initial impression was that the older boys in particular were resisting the task I'd set them.
· The implementation of the rationalisation programme left a lasting impression on Finniston which was to influence his future operating style.· Such stories would have made a lasting impression on my father and given him an early interest in Abyssinia.· It made a lasting impression on me.· But George Burt made a lasting impression on the place, after which it was no longer the old-world village it had been.· His family had been very poor when he was young, and it had left a lasting impression on him.· A heavy stream of important trading statements made little lasting impression on the shares involved.· The first visit by prospective parents is important as it creates a lasting impression.· Yet, regrettably, the lasting impression is of a merely superficial look at grinding poverty.
· Nor did these developments give a misleading impression of Soviet influence on world affairs.· Some authorities give the misleading impression that they alone have the absolute right to deliver certain services to the public.· Alpha has a fainter star beside it, giving the misleading impression of a very wide double.· Highlighting these few bureaux may give the misleading impression that they are out of line with the mainstream.· The repertoire on the Erato set, consisting mostly of familiar Mravinsky favourites, may also give a misleading impression.· A misleading impression may be unintended.
· The overall impression is one of rather old-fashioned comfort marred by a degree of shabbiness.· Thus the overall impression created is secular and not religious.· Prices range from about £55 to £120. Overall impressions?· Perhaps this unhappy memory has clouded the overall impression of the country, which is unfortunate.· Only the overall impression was familiar, not the individual pieces.· The musicians fill out evaluation forms, rating the candidates' knowledge, technique and overall impression.· Even so, an overall impression of the organisation is still necessary.· We therefore get an overall impression of relative flexibility.
· But you get the strong impression that he gets most cerebral satisfaction from dealing with physical problems.· The head nurse, whose name was Hatae, made a strong impression on me.· I was left with several strong impressions.· Either way, the quality of nursing care is often the strongest impression a patient takes home from the hospital.· But however strong that impression is, it is a subjective one founded on the inevitably limited view of any individual.· The strong impression I had was of a people who acted together because of a preconceived plan: a people programmed.· All in all, one is left with a strong impression that the material could have been marshalled much more effectively.· This made a strong impression on Carter, who still recalled the results in his letter to me two decades later.
· He was beginning to get entirely the wrong impression, and that really annoyed - and disturbed - her.· You know we got the wrong impression of a revolution.· We now accept that the report was based upon inaccurate information and conveyed completely the wrong impression about Linford.· They gave the wrong impression, sent the wrong signal.· And if all that sounds a bit pious, I've created the wrong impression.· Mr Fallon says any move to make Darlington a development area would create a wrong impression.· Besides, the words could be construed as flirtatious, and she didn't want him getting the wrong impression again.· The scientists involved blame the press and its lurid headlines for giving people the wrong impression about Zeta.
VERB· Also, it is necessary to avoid giving the impression that the respondent's answers are in any way exceptional nomatterhow hair-raising.
· The victimization which occurred, the loss of trade union membership, and the wage reductions all seemed to confirm this impression.· Director Robert Rodriguez confirms the impression he has made for resourceful camerawork.· They confirm our impression that, following his traumatic encounter with the Czech police, he becomes considerably less talkative.· But unfortunately some of the other news I picked up during that trip confirmed his negative impression.· William Houston s watchful, meditative Hal confirms the impression that he is simply biding his time in the Eastcheap taverns.· However, further research is needed to confirm these impressions.· A tour of the house confirmed the impressions formed from outside.· Extensive community work and interviews with young Arsenal supporters in a run-down housing estate by Robbins and Cohen confirmed this impression.
· Taken at face value the words found sinister and can convey a false impression like some sort of second-rate horror movie.· Even his description of Oswiu's overlordship in Britain may convey an inflated impression of military activity under Oswiu.· It is intended to convey an impression of the main themes at work. 1.· An account which tries to convey the impression that you're not there at all.· The slang term square might convey an impression which includes the suit, crew-cut and tie.· A few instances quickly convey an impression of it.· Some dealers tried to convey the false impression that the two markets were in cahoots.
· Advertising also creates the impression that smoking is a socially acceptable norm.· One of the things he tries to do in that interview is to create the impression there was a written agreement.· To have cancelled the conference would have created an equally bad impression.· Lydia said, and they did indeed create that impression.· The first visit by prospective parents is important as it creates a lasting impression.· Deceptive behaviors are those actions intended to create a false impression of reality.· This creates a very strong impression of a foreign accent, and is something that should obviously be avoided.· Unfortunately, this did not create a good impression.
· You should try to form an impression of the person the adjectives describe.· Everyone forms some sort of impression of a person the first time that they meet.· This is the part of the house that visitors stand closest to and from which they will form their first impression.· You've been here long enough now to have formed your own impressions of what goes on.· She had formed a favourable impression of him then, as an intelligent, sincere, if rather serious man.
· In particular, you may gain the impression that you are being victimised because of what you are, rather than because of who you are.· Lest her neighbours gain the impression that no-one ever wrote to her, she wrote and mailed letters to herself.· Walking amongst the ruins of an ancient city, for example, it is impossible to gain an overall impression of the layout.· Even today it is easy to gain a lopsided impression.· If you can satisfy these three requirements the reader should gain a good first impression of both the essay and the writer.· So attempt to gain an impression of paper, and a feel for the movement, rather than painting details.· Visitors to the studio could gain an impression of his work as a whole and grasp the cumulative effect.
· I get the impression that the warden was impressed without actually liking the man.· You know we got the wrong impression of a revolution.· I did get the impression, though, that he wasn't really sure of who I was.· The Federals looking toward the Confederate lines got only a limited impression of pageantry.· You still got the impression of a grown-up playing with schoolboys.· Perhaps the reader has indeed got the impression by now that all infinite sets are countable.· Now why did I get the impression that you cared what happens to your father?· We therefore get an overall impression of relative flexibility.
· Their edges, beyond the pages, were dyed soot-black, giving the impression of the borders of mourning cards.· His fatal obsession with Aurelia gives a remarkable impression of the quality of this figure.· His body did not give the impression of age.· Duval does not always give the impression of a man who enjoys this particular game.· The road soon snakes to the east, giving the impression of a gigantic U-turn.· Amin was there muttering things about his shoe size, trying to give the impression that he was going home.· He gave the impression of weighing every thought and utterance with great care.
· But he hadn't bargained on Hodgson, who was clearly looking to leave a lasting impression on his future rivals.· Yet he made a greater, more lasting impression on her than most lovers would or could.· Their firsthand involvement in the human problems of cultural change has made a lasting impression on most of them.· The vulgarity had a lasting impression on me.
· I was left with several strong impressions.· Such seriousness, intensity, and power in a young man set him apart and left an impression on others.· All in all, one is left with a strong impression that the material could have been marshalled much more effectively.· The movie leaves the impression that Prefontaine is peeved by the delay.· There is, too, a sense of timelessness, stillness and silence which leaves a deep impression on visitors.· I am left with the impression that the author has updated his work reluctantly and some of his text is misleading.· But he hadn't bargained on Hodgson, who was clearly looking to leave a lasting impression on his future rivals.· Bush leaves a first impression that, while his government is not deliberately isolationist, it is comfortable with being isolated.
· I've seen him a few times and he's never made a favourable impression on me!· The head nurse, whose name was Hatae, made a strong impression on me.· All this helps make a good impression on the customer.· Everyone was walking on eggs, eager to make a good impression for my benefit only.· It made a lasting impression on me.· This made a positive impression on those in a position to refer prospective patients.· Swindon lost Hockaday with a fractured cheekbone just before half-time as they were beginning to make an impression on the game.· Carole Migden always makes an impression.
· Few people understand exactly what they are and what they can do and quite a few people have mistaken impressions from the media.· A thin, friendly man, he often gave the mistaken impression that nothing was too much trouble.· His sour grapes should not be mistaken for an accurate impression of the flavour of Charles's court in December 842.· That can lead to the mistaken impression that the principles do not fit businesses involved in services.· The mistaken impression went abroad that a paradise of work had at last been found.
· Above all, Alida Thorne said to herself, she must not receive the impression of neglect.· Thus, the whole question of the attainment of metanoia revolves around receiving and registering impressions in a new way.· Christina did not like them to receive such a bad impression of Crystal Springs.· By receiving and registering impressions differently, we change everything within and around us.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► give (somebody) an impression/a sense/an idea► get hold of an idea/an impression/a story etc
- I was under the impression that you couldn't get a parking ticket on private property.
- The average American is under the mistaken impression that wildlife refuges have been set up to protect animals.
- Because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, many people are under the impression that it improves sleep.
- Both Halle and Sethe were under the impression that they were hidden.
- I was under the impression that people who rented council houses would have to pay the new council tax in addition to their rents.
- I was under the impression that we shared certain things equally.
- My own service was under the impression that it had the huntin' and shootin' rights in this country.
- She must be under the impression it was him.
- She seemed to be under the impression more guests were coming, but nobody else ever came.
- They were under the impression that all strike offenses had to be violent or serious.
- And then he added something which made a deep impression on me.
- His energy, his sense of humour and his melodious voice made a deep impression.
- It made such a deep impression upon Katch that seventy years later, she could still recite passages from it.
- The article made a deep impression on me and I thought what a wonderful coastline it would be to explore.
- The great toe often left a deep impression similar to the final toeing-off by humans before swinging their foot.
- There is, too, a sense of timelessness, stillness and silence which leaves a deep impression on visitors.
- This gives an opportunity for your message to gain more attention from the reader and perhaps to make a deeper impression.
- Members of the jury must not have formed opinions from publicity before the trial.
- Among those who have formed an opinion, more say public projects should go on the ballot than not.
- He conceded to Franceschelli that actually being present during the autopsy might have given him better information to form an opinion.
- He was in no state to form an idea of what we were talking about.
- It is the auditor's responsibility to form an opinion on the truth and fairness of the accounts.
- Nor that we should not form opinions or make evaluations.
- So gather information about your child, rather than forming opinions and judgments.
- Yet, along with journalists, poets, literary figures, and agitators, they do help form opinions.
- You should try to form an impression of the person the adjectives describe.
- By analysing simple situations, with essential features in common, we can gain insight into the behaviour of these complicated beams.
- It is difficult to see how avoiding teaching about what is distinctive of religion can help people gain an understanding of it!
- One way to gain insight into these issues is to view them through the work of some of the main protagonists.
- Pupils use drama to gain insights into moral and social issues in works of literature.
- Self-assessment Building self-esteem is about appreciating strengths and developing them as much as it is about gaining an understanding of weaknesses.
- The trust wants to gain an insight into the county's butterfly population.
- This guidance helped them gain insight into the characteristics that inhibited their own ability to persist and to complete schoolwork.
- To visit them is to gain an insight into what many of our own wetlands must have been like.
- A thin, friendly man, he often gave the mistaken impression that nothing was too much trouble.
- Cannabis may have few immediate withdrawal effects and this again may give rise to the mistaken belief that it is not addictive.
- People have a mistaken idea about artists.
- Such a deeply mistaken belief can only come from a citizen of a country with a disciplinarian attitude to politics.
- That can lead to the mistaken impression that the principles do not fit businesses involved in services.
- The foregoing paragraphs dispose, it is hoped, of some mistaken ideas as to the state and progress of sexuality in adulthood.
- The most mistaken idea is that you can Xerox people and somehow clone a fully grown adult.
- This can give rise to the mistaken belief that cocaine is not an addictive drug.
- But don't run away with the idea it was all Jerusalem the Golden.
WORD FAMILYnounimpressionimpressionismimpressionistimpressivenessadjectiveimpressionableimpressive ≠ unimpressiveimpressionisticunimpressedadverbimpressivelyimpressionisticallyverbimpress
1[countable, uncountable] the opinion or feeling you have about someone or something because of the way they seem: When we looked around the school we got a very good impression. I got the impression that she wasn't very happy with her job.impression of What was your impression of Roger?► see thesaurus at idea2be under the impression (that) to believe that something is true when it is not: I’m sorry, I was under the impression that you were the manager.3[countable] if you do an impression of a famous person, you copy their speech or behaviour in order to make people laugh SYN imitation: Jean does a great impression of Madonna.4[countable] a picture or drawing of what someone or something might look like, or what something will look like in the futureimpression of an artist’s impression of the new building5[countable] a mark left by pressing something into a soft surface: Some of the fallen trees had left a clear impression in the hardened mud.6[countable] all the copies of a book printed at one timeCOLLOCATIONSverbsmake 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.adjectivesa 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.somebody’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 impression 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.somebody’s personal impression· My personal impression is that the new manager has greatly improved things.phrasesfirst impressions count (=the impression you make when you first meet someone is important)· When attending a job interview, remember that first impressions count.