lay down a marker

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay down a marker" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It typically means to establish a position, goal, or milestone to measure progress against. For example, "We need to lay down a marker that will show how our team is progressing with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The speech is timed to lay down a marker for the Paris conference.

The New York Times

But we do want to lay down a marker because this goes too far.

The Washington Post

Defender Bruno Alves feels Fenerbahce can lay down a marker by knocking Arsenal out.

Independent

"They wanted to lay down a marker before the campaign got going," he says.

Independent

"Realizing there is not one sure-shot solution, he wanted to lay down a marker," she said.

The New York Times

Now, with another Ashes series starting in Australia in November, Collingwood wants to lay down a marker.

The Guardian - Sport

His arrival would lay down a marker as the club seeks to rebuild its squad with players of similar quality.

The Guardian - Sport

He wanted to lay down a marker against Trump on his way into office, and he did.

The Washington Post

Instead, the idea would be to lay down a marker for the future Mr. Peres talked about.

The New York Times

You may wish to lay down a marker for a future discussion on democratization and human rights concerns.

The Guardian

The process will be slow, complicated, and multijurisdictional, but it will lay down a marker for future dictators.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lay down a marker" when you want to emphasize the act of establishing a standard or precedent that will influence future actions or decisions. It is suitable when highlighting a deliberate effort to set expectations or demonstrate capability.

Common error

Avoid using "lay down a marker" casually. The phrase suggests a significant and deliberate action aimed at establishing something of lasting importance, not just a minor or temporary indication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay down a marker" functions as an idiomatic expression used to establish a standard, goal, or intention. It suggests a deliberate act of setting a benchmark. Ludwig AI identifies its use in various contexts to indicate a starting point for future actions or evaluations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lay down a marker" is a common idiomatic expression used to establish a clear position, set a precedent, or demonstrate an intention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the act of establishing a standard that will influence future actions or decisions. Be mindful not to overuse it in casual contexts, as it suggests a significant and deliberate action. Consider using alternatives like "set a precedent" or "establish a benchmark" to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a precedent

Focuses on establishing an example for future actions or decisions.

establish a benchmark

Highlights creating a standard against which others can be measured.

set the stage

Implies preparing the conditions for something to happen.

draw a line in the sand

Emphasizes setting a firm limit or boundary.

make a statement

Suggests expressing a clear position or intention.

signal an intent

Focuses on communicating one's purpose or plan.

set out one's stall

Primarily a British idiom that means to publicly declare one's intentions or beliefs.

indicate a direction

Implies showing the way forward or a preferred course of action.

give an indication

Suggests providing a hint or clue about something.

mark a turning point

Emphasizes identifying a significant moment of change.

FAQs

How can I use "lay down a marker" in a sentence?

You can use "lay down a marker" to describe setting a standard, establishing a goal, or making a statement of intent. For instance, "The company's new policy aims to "lay down a marker" for environmental responsibility in the industry."

What does it mean to "lay down a marker"?

To "lay down a marker" means to establish a clear position, set a precedent, or demonstrate an intention that serves as a benchmark or point of reference for future actions or evaluations.

What are some alternatives to "lay down a marker"?

Alternatives include "set a precedent", "establish a benchmark", or "make a statement", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "lay down a marker" a formal or informal expression?

"Lay down a marker" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for use in news articles, business contexts, and other professional communications.