lay down the marker

• lay down a marker

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lay down the marker (third-person singular simple present lays down the marker, present participle laying down the marker, simple past and past participle laid down the marker)

1. (idiomatic) To set the standard.
   • 2011 August 7, Chris Bevan, “Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport‎:

     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.

• set the pace