When you meet someone for the first time, they often remember how you acted, what you said, or even how you looked. This first meeting is called a first impression. It’s important because people often decide what they think of you in just a few seconds. Whether it’s a new friend, a teacher, or someone at a job, your first impression matters.
In English, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about these first meetings. Idioms are fun expressions that don’t always mean what the words say. They help make speaking and writing more colorful and easy to understand. In this article, we will learn some common idioms about first impressions. These idioms will help you know what people really mean when they talk about meeting someone for the first time. Let’s explore some of these expressions together.
Idioms About First Impressions
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a social setting.
Example Sentences:
- “At the party, I told a joke to break the ice.”
- “She broke the ice by complimenting his shirt.”
Other ways to say: Start talking, ease into conversation.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from the practice of ships breaking ice to create a path for others.
Usage: Used when initiating conversation to reduce awkwardness.
2. Make a good first impression
Meaning: To present oneself positively when meeting someone for the first time.
Example Sentences:
- “He made a good first impression by arriving early.”
- “Wearing a clean outfit helped her make a good first impression.”
Other ways to say: Present oneself well, start off on the right foot.
Fun Fact/Origin: The importance of first impressions is emphasized in social psychology.
Usage: Commonly used in contexts like interviews or first meetings.
3. Dress to impress
Meaning: To wear clothing intended to make a good impression.
Example Sentences:
- “She dressed to impress for her first day at work.”
- “He dressed to impress at the school dance.”
Other ways to say: Dress smartly, wear your best.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase highlights the role of attire in forming perceptions.
Usage: Used when someone chooses attire carefully to make a positive impact.
4. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: To make a great effort to make a good impression.
Example Sentences:
- “He put his best foot forward during the audition.”
- “She put her best foot forward on the first day of school.”
Other ways to say: Try your hardest, give it your all.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase suggests leading with your strongest foot to start well.
Usage: Encourages giving one’s best effort in new situations.
5. First impressions are lasting impressions
Meaning: The initial perception of someone tends to stick.
Example Sentences:
- “Be polite; first impressions are lasting impressions.”
- “He learned that first impressions are lasting impressions after his interview.”
Other ways to say: Initial opinions endure, first thoughts stick.
Fun Fact/Origin: Emphasizes the psychological impact of first encounters.
Usage: Highlights the importance of behaving well when meeting someone new.
6. Judge a book by its cover
Meaning: To form an opinion based on appearance.
Example Sentences:
- “Don’t judge a book by its cover; he’s very kind.”
- “She judged the restaurant by its exterior, but the food was excellent.”
Other ways to say: Don’t assume based on looks, appearances can be deceiving.
Fun Fact/Origin: Literally advises against evaluating a book solely by its cover design.
Usage: Warns against making quick judgments based on appearances.
7. Come across as
Meaning: To give a certain impression.
Example Sentences:
- “He comes across as confident.”
- “She came across as friendly during the meeting.”
Other ways to say: Seem, appear to be.
Fun Fact/Origin: Relates to the perception others have of someone’s demeanor.
Usage: Describes the impression someone gives to others.
8. Rub someone the wrong way
Meaning: To irritate or offend someone unintentionally.
Example Sentences:
- “His joke rubbed her the wrong way.”
- “She rubbed her teacher the wrong way by interrupting.”
Other ways to say: Annoy, offend.
Fun Fact/Origin: Originates from stroking an animal’s fur against the grain.
Usage: Indicates causing annoyance without intending to.
9. Hit it off
Meaning: To quickly form a good relationship.
Example Sentences:
- “They hit it off immediately at the party.”
- “My new coworker and I hit it off on the first day.”
Other ways to say: Get along well, click.
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests a spark or immediate connection between people.
Usage: Used when people quickly become friends or have a good rapport.
10. Under the impression
Meaning: Believing something to be true.
Example Sentences:
- “I was under the impression the meeting was at 3 PM.”
- “She was under the impression he liked her.”
Other ways to say: Thought, believed.
Fun Fact/Origin: Reflects a belief or assumption held by someone.
Usage: Indicates a belief that may or may not be accurate.
11. Come off as
Meaning: To seem or appear in a certain way.
Example Sentences:
- “He comes off as arrogant.”
- “She came off as nervous during her speech.”
Other ways to say: Seem, appear.
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the impression one gives to others.
Usage: Used to discuss how someone’s behavior is perceived.
12. Strike a chord
Meaning: To elicit a strong emotional response.
Example Sentences:
- “Her story struck a chord with the audience.”
- “The movie’s ending struck a chord with me.”
Other ways to say: Resonate, touch someone’s feelings.
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from music, where a chord can evoke emotions.
Usage: Describes something that emotionally connects with people.
13. Make waves
Meaning: To cause a disturbance or attract attention.
Example Sentences:
- “He made waves with his bold ideas.”
- “She made waves by challenging the status quo.”
Other ways to say: Cause a stir, attract notice.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to creating ripples or disturbances.
Usage: Indicates someone is drawing attention, positively or negatively.
14. Leave a sour taste
Meaning: To create a negative impression.
Example Sentences:
- “His rude comment left a sour taste.”
- “The ending of the book left a sour taste in my mouth.”
Other ways to say: Disappoint, offend.
Fun Fact/Origin: Relates to the unpleasant aftertaste of something sour.
Usage: Describes a negative lingering impression.
15. Make a splash
Meaning: To attract a lot of attention.
Example Sentences:
- “Her debut performance made a splash.”
- “The new product made a splash in the market.”
Other ways to say: Gain attention, stand out.
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagery of water splashing draws attention.
Usage: Used when someone or something gains immediate notice.
16. Come out swinging
Meaning: To start something with energy and determination.
Example Sentences:
- “He came out swinging in the debate.”
- “She came out swinging in her new role.”
Other ways to say: Start strong, be aggressive.
Fun Fact/Origin: Boxing term for starting a match with punches.
Usage: Describes beginning with vigor and assertiveness.
17. Set the tone
Meaning: To establish the mood or style.
Example Sentences:
- “Her opening remarks set the tone for the meeting.”
- “The music set the tone for the evening.”
Other ways to say: Establish mood, create atmosphere.
Fun Fact/Origin: Musical term indicating the key or mood of a piece.
Usage: Used to describe how initial actions influence the overall feel.
18. Get off on the wrong foot
Meaning: To start a relationship or situation poorly.
Example Sentences:
- “They got off on the wrong foot during their first meeting.”
- “I got off on the wrong foot with my neighbor.”
Other ways to say: Start badly, have a rough beginning.
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests starting with the incorrect foot, leading to imbalance.
Usage: Indicates a poor start to an interaction or relationship.
19. Come to light
Meaning: To become known or revealed.
Example Sentences:
- “New evidence came to light during the trial.”
- “Her true feelings came to light after the conversation.”
Other ways to say: Be revealed, become known.
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagery of bringing something from darkness into light.
Usage: Used when information or facts are uncovered.
20. Make a name for oneself
Meaning: To become known or famous.
Example Sentences:
- “He made a name for himself in the tech industry.”
- “She made a name for herself as a talented artist.”
Other ways to say: Gain recognition, become famous.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to establishing a reputation associated with one’s name.
Usage: Describes achieving fame or recognition.
21. Come to grips with
Meaning: To begin to understand or deal with something.
Example Sentences:
- “She came to grips with the new responsibilities.”
- “He came to grips with the reality of the situation.”
Other ways to say: Understand, accept.
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests physically grasping something to control it.
Usage: Used when someone starts to understand or accept a situation.
22. Make one’s mark
Meaning: To have a lasting effect or influence.
Example Sentences:
- “She made her mark in the fashion industry.”
- “He made his mark as a dedicated teacher.”
Other ways to say: Leave a legacy, have an impact.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to leaving a physical mark as a sign of presence.
Usage: Describes someone leaving a significant impression.
23. Come into one’s own
Meaning: To reach full potential or recognition.
Example Sentences:
- “He came into his own as a leader during the crisis.”
- “She came into her own after years of hard work.”
Other ways to say: Flourish, thrive.
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests someone fully realizing their abilities.
Usage: Used when someone gains confidence or recognition.
24. Make an entrance
Meaning: To arrive in a way that attracts attention.
Example Sentences:
- “She made an entrance in a stunning red dress.”
- “He made an entrance by arriving late and loudly.”
Other ways to say: Arrive dramatically, draw attention.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is often used in fashion or events where arrival creates a strong visual or social impact.
Usage: Used when someone shows up in a way that people notice right away.
25. Put someone off
Meaning: To create a bad or negative first impression.
Example Sentences:
- “His rude comments really put me off.”
- “The smell in the room put the guests off during the visit.”
Other ways to say: Make someone uncomfortable, leave a bad feeling.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Put off” can mean to delay, but in this case, it means to repel or cause dislike.
Usage: Used when someone’s actions or behavior make others feel uneasy or dislike them from the start.
Quiz: Idioms About First Impressions
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “break the ice” mean?
A) To go skating
B) To start a conversation
C) To break something at school
2. If someone “dresses to impress,” what are they doing?
A) Wearing clothes to make a good impression
B) Going to a costume party
C) Putting on warm clothes
3. What does “put your best foot forward” mean?
A) Start dancing
B) Try hard to make a good impression
C) Run as fast as you can
4. What does it mean if someone “rubbed you the wrong way”?
A) They gave you a massage
B) They annoyed you
C) They helped you
5. If you “hit it off” with someone, what happened?
A) You argued
B) You became good friends quickly
C) You didn’t speak
6. What does “judge a book by its cover” mean?
A) To read fast
B) To like books
C) To judge someone by how they look
7. If someone “comes across as rude,” what does that mean?
A) They acted politely
B) They seemed rude
C) They looked happy
8. What does “make a splash” mean?
A) Jump into a pool
B) Spill water
C) Get noticed or stand out
9. If you “get off on the wrong foot,” what happened?
A) You had a bad start
B) You wore the wrong shoe
C) You danced wrong
10. What does it mean if someone “leaves a sour taste”?
A) They gave you candy
B) They did something upsetting
C) They baked a pie
Answer Key
- B – To start a conversation
- A – Wearing clothes to make a good impression
- B – Try hard to make a good impression
- B – They annoyed you
- B – You became good friends quickly
- C – To judge someone by how they look
- B – They seemed rude
- C – Get noticed or stand out
- A – You had a bad start
- B – They did something upsetting
Wrapping Up
First impressions can shape how people see us from the very start. That’s why idioms about first impressions are helpful. They teach us how to describe these moments in fun and clear ways. Whether you’re meeting a new friend, starting school, or visiting a new place, using the right words can help you feel more confident.
Now you know how to say things like “break the ice” or “dress to impress.” These phrases are short, but they can say a lot. Try using them when you talk or write. The more you practice, the easier it gets. And remember—being kind and polite always helps leave a good impression.
