1mark 
/ˈmɑɚk/ noun
plural marks /ˈmɑɚk/ noun 1 [count] a : a small area on the surface of something that is dirty, damaged, etc.
▪ a burn/scratch mark ▪ The glass left a water mark on the wooden table. — see also black mark
b : an area of something (such as an animal's fur or skin) that is a different color from the area around it
▪ The cat has white fur with some black marks on its head and tail. — see also birthmark, strawberry mark, stretch marks 2 [count] a : a written or printed shape or symbol
▪ proofreading marks — see also punctuation mark
b : a symbol or shape on something that identifies it, shows its quality, etc.
▪ The goldsmith's mark is stamped on the back. — see also landmark, postmark, trademark
c : a cross made in place of a signature by someone who cannot read and write
▪ We read him the document and he made his mark on it. 3 [count] : something that shows how someone feels about something : a sign or indication of something
▪ He gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem. ▪ They left flowers on the grave as a mark of respect. ▪ Those extra responsibilities he's giving you are a mark of confidence. [=they show that he has confidence in you] 4 [count] : a quality or trait that is typical of a particular type of person or thing — + of ▪ Courtesy is the mark [=hallmark, sign] of a true gentleman. ▪ A willingness to ask tough questions is the mark of a good journalist. ▪ He thinks that indecisiveness is a mark of weakness. [=indecisiveness shows weakness] 5 [count] : a number or letter that indicates how a student has performed in a class or on a test : grade
▪ I got a good/high/low mark in/for English. ▪ I got a good/high/low mark on the spelling test. ▪ She barely earned passing marks in her first year of college. ▪ failing marks — often used figuratively ▪ I'll give them high/top marks for honesty. [=they are very honest; I give them a lot of praise and credit for being honest] — see also full marks 6 [singular] : a specified point or level
▪ We're at the halfway mark in the first period of play. ▪ The population has topped the 1,000,000 mark. — see also high-water mark 7 [count] : something that is aimed at or shot at : target
▪ The arrow hit/missed/overshot the mark. ▪ The bullet found its mark. [=hit the target that was aimed for] — often used figuratively ▪ Our fund-raising fell/was short of the mark. [=we did not raise as much money as we needed] 8 [count] US : a person who is tricked into losing money or property
▪ They proved to be easy marks for the swindler. 9 [count] : the line or place where a race starts
▪ The runners were told to take their marks. [=to get into position for the start of the race] ▪ On your mark, get set, go!
▪ a burn/scratch mark ▪ The glass left a water mark on the wooden table. — see also black mark
b : an area of something (such as an animal's fur or skin) that is a different color from the area around it
▪ The cat has white fur with some black marks on its head and tail. — see also birthmark, strawberry mark, stretch marks
▪ proofreading marks — see also punctuation mark
b : a symbol or shape on something that identifies it, shows its quality, etc.
▪ The goldsmith's mark is stamped on the back. — see also landmark, postmark, trademark
c : a cross made in place of a signature by someone who cannot read and write
▪ We read him the document and he made his mark on it.
▪ He gave her the necklace as a mark of his esteem. ▪ They left flowers on the grave as a mark of respect. ▪ Those extra responsibilities he's giving you are a mark of confidence. [=they show that he has confidence in you]
▪ I got a good/high/low mark in/for English. ▪ I got a good/high/low mark on the spelling test. ▪ She barely earned passing marks in her first year of college. ▪ failing marks — often used figuratively ▪ I'll give them high/top marks for honesty. [=they are very honest; I give them a lot of praise and credit for being honest] — see also full marks
▪ We're at the halfway mark in the first period of play. ▪ The population has topped the 1,000,000 mark. — see also high-water mark
▪ The arrow hit/missed/overshot the mark. ▪ The bullet found its mark. [=hit the target that was aimed for] — often used figuratively ▪ Our fund-raising fell/was short of the mark. [=we did not raise as much money as we needed]
▪ They proved to be easy marks for the swindler.
▪ The runners were told to take their marks. [=to get into position for the start of the race] ▪ On your mark, get set, go!
close to the mark or near the mark
: fairly accurate : almost correct
▪ Their estimate was pretty close to the mark.
▪ Their estimate was pretty close to the mark.
leave/make a/your mark
: to do something that causes you to be remembered : to create a lasting or strong impression
▪ He worked at several jobs, but he didn't make much of a mark in any of them. ▪ From the moment we saw her in action, we knew she would make her mark as a teacher. ▪ Her kindness left its mark on her students.
▪ He worked at several jobs, but he didn't make much of a mark in any of them. ▪ From the moment we saw her in action, we knew she would make her mark as a teacher. ▪ Her kindness left its mark on her students.
miss its/the mark
: to fail or be wrong
▪ Their estimates completely missed the mark. [=were not accurate] ▪ The ad campaign was supposed to appeal to young people but it missed the mark. — see also 1mark 7 (above)
▪ Their estimates completely missed the mark. [=were not accurate] ▪ The ad campaign was supposed to appeal to young people but it missed the mark. — see also 1mark 7 (above)
off the mark or wide of the mark
: not accurate or correct : not achieving the desired result
▪ The results of the fund-raising were wide of the mark. ▪ His efforts to console her were off the mark. [=his efforts to console her did not help]
▪ The results of the fund-raising were wide of the mark. ▪ His efforts to console her were off the mark. [=his efforts to console her did not help]
quick/slow off the mark
: quick or slow to act or to understand something
▪ As soon as the opportunity arose, he was quick off the mark in exploiting it. ▪ I was slow off the mark [=I did not act quickly] and missed my chance.
▪ As soon as the opportunity arose, he was quick off the mark in exploiting it. ▪ I was slow off the mark [=I did not act quickly] and missed my chance.
up to the mark
: up to the usual standard of performance, quality, etc. : as good as usual — usually used in negative statements ▪ I haven't been feeling up to the mark lately. ▪ His work hasn't been up to the mark.
— compare 3mark
