send the right message

send the right message

To do or say something that communicates a particular desired meaning, either implicitly or explicitly. We're hoping that this legislation will send the right message to young people around the country. I know you're trying to foster better workplace relations between employees, but I don't think forcing people to sit in assigned spots during lunch will send the right message.
See also: message, right, send
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

send the right (or wrong) message

make a significant statement, either implicitly or by your actions.
See also: message, right, send
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • send the wrong message
  • take (something) on trust
  • take on trust
  • under control
  • be under par
  • clean up on (something)
  • clean up on something
  • in preference to (someone or something)
  • in preference to somebody/something
  • with all the fixin's
References in periodicals archive
We got to see the prime minister's magnanimous side, and her strong resolve to use the political office to send the right message to people.
Even in Railways, we are now studying profiles of many officers to see if some action can be initiated against them to send the right message," said Goyal.
'The rate of drug abuse in the society cannot be over-emphasised, so this movie will send the right message to its target,' he said.
How can that send the right message to the next aspiring generation?
He was trying to be positive and send the right message.
"Tama ang mensahe nito na kung sino man din ang nagbabalak -- maaring nasa pwesto, maaring wala - 'pag gumawa ka ng ganyan, ay dapat pagbayaran sa batas (It would send the right message to whoever is planning to violate laws -- may it be those in government position or those who are not -- that if you committed such a crime, you would pay for it)," she added.
Maybe that would send the right message to nurses and doctors - Scotland needs you.
'We believe that choosing a fair and equal tax policy for SSBs will send the right message to American and other foreign investors-and the Philippines on track to grow economically while continuing to attract investment which will help propel this growth benefiting all Filipinos,' they added.
With Triton's technology, it became easier for advertisers to access our inventory in an automated fashion, and enables them to send the right message at the right time and in the right place so it truly resonates with listeners.
Alia said: "It is important to send the right message to the world about the UAE.
A suspended sentence does not send the right message and does not reflect the seriousness of the crime."
It doesn't send the right message out to the rest of the squad.
"' Try and hit the stumps next time, not my body.' You have got to send the right message across.