make a dent

English

Alternative forms

• leave a dent, put a dent

Verb

make a dent (third-person singular simple present makes a dent, present participle making a dent, simple past and past participle made a dent)

1. (figurative) To make an impression; to have an effect on; to chip away at.
   • 1938 December 18, Bosley Crowther, quoting John Garfield, “A man who means to make a dent”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     If an actor doesn't have a point of view, he doesn't make a dent. And I mean to make a dent.

   • 1992 December 6, David M. Gordon, “Clinton May Fall Short on Easing Unemployment”, in Los Angeles Times, page D2:

     But I am not yet persuaded that Clintonomics will make much of a dent in the persistent problems of unemployment in the U.S. economy.

   • 1999 February 4, Michael M. Weinstein, “Clinton's budget plan on social needs will barely make a dent”, in The New York Times‎^[2]:

     Clinton's budget plan on social needs will barely make a dent [title]

   • 2001 December 26, Craig S. Smith, “China's Efforts Against Crime Make No Dent”, in The New York Times‎^[3], →ISSN:

     China's Efforts Against Crime Make No Dent [title]

   • 2011, Walter Isaacson, quoting Steve Jobs, Steve Jobs, New York: Simon & Schuster, →ISBN, page 94:

     Think about surfing on the front edge of a wave. It's really exhilarating. Now think about dog-paddling at the tail end of that wave. It wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun. Come down here and make a dent in the universe.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make,‎ a,‎ dent.

Further reading

• “make a dent”, in Collins English Dictionary.