1a small area on a surface having a different colour from its surroundings, typically one caused by damage or dirt:the blow left a red mark down one side of her face
a spot, area, or feature on a person’s or animal’s body by which they may be identified or recognized:he was five feet nine, with no distinguishing marks
2a line, figure, or symbol made as an indication or record of something:the first syllable has a stress mark
a sign or indication of a quality or feeling:the flag was at half mast as a mark of respect
a written symbol made on a document in place of a signature by someone who cannot write:he signed his mark in the visitor’s book
a competitor’s starting point in a race.
Nautical a piece of material or a knot used to indicate a depth on a sounding line.
Telecommunications one of two possible states of a signal in certain systems.The opposite of space.
a level or stage that is considered significant:unemployment had passed the two million mark
British a particular temperature level in a gas oven:preheat the oven to Gas Mark 5
3chiefly British a point awarded for a correct answer or for proficiency in an examination or competition:many candidates lose marks because they don’t read the questions carefully figurativefull marks to them for highlighting the threat to the rainforest
a figure or letter representing the total number of marks awarded in an examination or competition and signifying a person’s score:the highest mark was 98 per cent
(also handicap mark) Horse Racing an official assessment of a horse’s form, expressed as a figure between 0 and 140 and used as the basis for calculating the weight the horse has to carry in a race:horses tend to run off a higher mark over fences than they would over hurdles
(especially in athletics) a time or distance achieved by a competitor, especially one which represents a record or personal best:he blasted away from the field during the second lap to knock a second off the existing mark
4(followed by a numeral) a particular model or type of a vehicle or machine:a Mark 10 Jaguar
5a target:few bullets could have missed their mark
informal, chiefly US a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of:they figure I’m an easy mark
6 Rugby the act of cleanly catching the ball direct from a kick, knock-on, or forward throw by an opponent, on or behind one’s own 22-metre line, and exclaiming ‘Mark’, after which a free kick can be taken by the catcher.
Australian Rules an act of catching a ball that has been kicked at least fifteen metres before it reaches the ground, or the spot from which the subsequent kick is taken.
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Universal
1make a visible impression or stain on:he fingered the photograph gently, careful not to mark it
[no object] become stained:they’re made from a woven surface which doesn’t mark or tear
2write a word or symbol on (an object) in order to give information:she marked all her possessions with her name
write or draw (a word, symbol, line, etc.) on an object:she marked the date down on a card
(mark something off) put a line by or through something written or printed to indicate that it has passed or been dealt with:he marked off their names in a ledger
3indicate the position of:the top of the pass marks the border between Alaska and the Yukon
separate or delineate (a particular section or area):you need to mark out the part of the garden where the sun lingers longest
(of a particular quality or feature) distinguish (someone or something) from other people or things:his sword marked him out as an officer
(mark someone out for) select or destine someone for (a particular role or fate):the solicitor general marked him out for government office
(mark someone down as) judge someone to be (a particular type of person):she had marked him down as a dangerous liberal
acknowledge or celebrate (an important event) with a particular action:to mark its fiftieth birthday the charity held a fashion show
be an indication of (a significant event or stage):a series of incidents which marked a new phase in the terrorist campaign
characterize as having a particular quality or feature:the reaction to these developments has been marked by a note of hysteria
4British (of a teacher or examiner) assess the standard of (written work) by assigning points for proficiency or correct answers:the examiner may have hundreds of scripts to mark
(mark someone/thing down) reduce the number of marks awarded to a person or their work:teachers must mark down GCSE work containing poor grammar
5notice or pay careful attention to:he’ll leave you, you mark my words!
6British (of a player in a team game) stay close to (an opponent) in order to prevent them getting or passing the ball:each central defender marks one attacker
Australian Rules catch (the ball) from a kick of at least ten metres:I did well at marking the ball
be quick (or slow) off the mark
be fast (or slow) in responding to a situation or understanding something:he was quick off the mark with girls
get off the mark
get started:he took an hour to get off the mark but finished with 101 runs
leave its (or one's or a) mark
have a lasting or significant effect:he left his mark on English football
make one's mark
attain recognition or distinction:it took four years of struggle before we managed to make our mark
one's mark
British something which is particularly typical of or suitable for someone:‘I took you out.’ ‘To a motel! That’s just about your mark!’
mark time
(of troops) march on the spot without moving forward.
pass one’s time in routine activities until a more interesting opportunity presents itself:we’re all just marking time, waiting for Wednesday
mark you
chiefly British used to emphasize a statement:I was persuaded, against my better judgement, mark you, to vote for him
near (or close) to the mark
almost accurate:to say he was their legal adviser would be nearer the mark
off (or wide of) the mark
1a long way from an intended target:most of his shots went wide of the mark
2incorrect or inaccurate:past demographic projections have been way off the mark
of mark
dated having importance or distinction:he had been a man of mark
on the mark
correct; accurate:his forecast for the weekend is right on the mark
on your marks
used to instruct competitors in a race to prepare themselves in the correct starting position.
up to the mark
up to the required standard:concern has been growing that economic forecasts are not up to the mark
[usually with negative] (of a person) as healthy or as cheerful as usual:Johnny’s not feeling up to the mark at the moment
mark something down
(of a retailer) reduce the indicated price of an item:ties are marked down by at least 25 per cent
mark something up
1(of a retailer) increase the indicated price of an item:he marks up prized garments by at least 50 per cent
2annotate or correct text for printing, keying, or typesetting:they retyped the articles after the subeditors had marked them up in pencil
