lay down the marker
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, begin
marker
UK /ˈmɑː(ɹ)kə(ɹ)/ US /ˈmɑː(ɹ)kə(ɹ)/
noun 5verb 1
Definitions
noun
1
Someone or something that creates marks, particularly
Don't use the permanent marker on the whiteboard.
2
Someone or something that creates marks, particularly
3
Someone or something that creates marks, particularly
4
Someone or something used to mark a position or amount, particularly
Board member Phillip Carlson […] said he considers [the election of] Brading to be a marker for the distance the gay and lesbian community has come.
5
Someone or something used to mark a position or amount, particularly
Pellegrini insisted this was a game City had to win - this they did and with the sort of performance that put down a marker for how the Chilean wants his team to play.
verb
1
To mark or write on (something) using a marker
On one page someone has markered: "Remember, you are your own best thing."
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