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make a dent in

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make a dent in something

 

1. Lit. to make a depression in something. I kicked the side of the car and made a dent in it. Please don't make a dent in the side of the house.

2. Fig. to use only a little of something; to make a small amount of progress with something. Look at what's left on your plate! You hardly made a dent in your dinner. I've been slaving all day, and I have hardly made a dent in my work.

See also: dent, make

make a dent in something

also put a dent in something

to have an effect on something All the talk about kids eating too much sugar hasn't seemed to make a dent in the candy business.

Usage notes: sometimes used without in: Technology cannot fix education - no amount of technology will make a dent.

See also: dent, make

make a dent in something

  (British, American & Australian) also put a dent in something (American)

to reduce the amount or level of something The roof repairs made quite a dent in our savings. (often negative) Police efforts have hardly put a dent in the level of drug trafficking on the streets.

See also: dent, make

make a dent in

Begin to accomplish or consume something, as in I've barely made a dent in this pile of correspondence, or Help us put a dent in this pie. This metaphoric expression alludes to striking a blow to make a physical indentation in something.

See also: dent, make