lay down the marker
verb1
Idiomatic To set the standard.
- City held firm and even threatened to retake the lead when Adam Johnson tested De Gea, but it was United who laid down the marker for the forthcoming Premier League campaign, beginning the defence of their title by collecting more silverware.2011 August 7, Chris Bevan, “Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
- Related terms
- set the pace