first impression

Meaning

A first impression is the initial mental image, opinion, or feeling that one person forms about another (or about a company, product, or place) upon meeting or seeing them for the first time. In business, making a positive first impression is critical for building trust, closing deals, and securing job offers.

Examples

• Dressing professionally is key to making a great first impression during an interview.

  Dressing professionally is key to making a great first impression during an interview.

• My first impression of the new manager was that she is highly organized and approachable.

  My first impression of the new manager was that she is highly organized and approachable.

• The company website is outdated, which might give potential clients a bad first impression.

  The company website is outdated, which might give potential clients a bad first impression.

• You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so prepare thoroughly.

  You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so prepare thoroughly.

• The modern office design creates a very welcoming first impression for visitors.

  The modern office design creates a very welcoming first impression for visitors.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to do a good first impression on the client.

  ✓ I want to make a good first impression on the client.

  In English, you make an impression; you do not do or have one in this active sense.

• ✗ My first impression to him was very positive.

  ✓ My first impression of him was very positive.

  Use the preposition of to describe your opinion of someone, and on to describe the effect you have on someone else.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A firm handshake and eye contact help you make a positive ___.

  💡 The initial opinion someone forms of you.

  Show answer

  first impression

• What was your ___ of the new software we tested today?

  💡 Your immediate, initial thought or feeling about something.

  Show answer

  first impression