ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lay down the marker

idiom
Meaning

To set the standard.


Examples
SIMPLE

The team laid down the marker with their first big win.

CONTEXTUAL

By finishing the project two weeks early, she laid down the marker for the rest of the department to follow.

COMPLEX

The young athlete laid down the marker for his competitors by shattering the world record during his very first race of the season.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    lay a finger on

    To merely touch.

  2. 02

    lay an anchor to the windward

    To adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for potential future success or security.

  3. 03

    lay an egg

    To produce a failure or flop; to do something which is unsuccessful.

  4. 04

    lay at someone's door

    To blame (a problem) on someone; to hold someone responsible for (something).

  5. 05

    lay by the heels

    To fetter, to shackle; to imprison.

  6. 06

    lay down the law

    To authoritatively or dogmatically assert what is permitted or not permitted.

  7. 07

    lay eggs

    To produce a string of failures or flops.

  8. 08

    lay eyes on

    To see; look at; glimpse.

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