make a good impression

Meaning

This phrase means to behave in a way that causes other people to have a positive opinion of you. It is frequently used when meeting someone for the first time, such as in job interviews, on first dates, or when meeting a partner's family.

Examples

• He wore a suit to the interview because he wanted to make a good impression.

  He wore a suit to the interview because he wanted to make a good impression.

• It's important to make a good impression on your first day at a new job.

  It's important to make a good impression on your first day at a new job.

• She was nervous about meeting his parents and really wanted to make a good impression.

  She was nervous about meeting his parents and really wanted to make a good impression.

• Smiling and making eye contact will help you make a good impression.

  Smiling and making eye contact will help you make a good impression.

• I don't think I made a very good impression during the presentation yesterday.

  I don't think I made a very good impression during the presentation yesterday.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to do a good impression on my new boss.

  ✓ I want to make a good impression on my new boss.

  The correct verb to pair with "impression" in this context is "make," not "do."

• ✗ She made a good impression to everyone at the party.

  ✓ She made a good impression on everyone at the party.

  Use the preposition "on" to indicate the people who receive or form the positive opinion.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He arrived early to the meeting to ___ on the new clients.

  💡 Create a positive first opinion.

  Show answer

  make a good impression

• First meetings matter, so try to ___ when you meet her family.

  💡 Act in a way that makes them like you.

  Show answer

  make a good impression