impress as

impress (someone) as (something)

To please and affect someone by exhibiting a particular skill or manner. I think she'll make a great receptionist—she certainly impressed me as a calm person, especially under pressure.See also: impress

impress someone as something

to be memorable to someone as a particular type of person. She didn't impress me as a particularly wise individual. Liz impressed us all as a skilled artisan.See also: impress