ear ‧ mark /ˈɪəmɑːk $ ˈɪrmɑːrk/ BrE AmE verb [transitive usually passive]
to decide that something will be used for a particular purpose or have something done to it in the future
earmark somebody/something for something
85% of foreign aid is earmarked by Congress for specific purposes.
schools earmarked for closure
earmark somebody/something as something
He had been earmarked as a potential leader.