Make, etc. a dent in something
phrase
To reduce the amount or level of something, especially something unwanted or unpleasant.
The recent policy changes have failed to make a dent in the unemployment rate.
Often appears as...
- make a dent in poverty
- make a dent in the problem
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To start to make progress with a large task or an amount of work.
It took me a whole weekend to make a dent in my to-do list.
Often appears as...
- make a dent in work
- make a dent in workload
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To reduce the amount or level of something, especially something unwanted or unpleasant.
The recent policy changes have failed to make a dent in the unemployment rate.
Often appears as...
- make a dent in poverty
- make a dent in the problem
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To start to make progress with a large task or an amount of work.
It took me a whole weekend to make a dent in my to-do list.
Often appears as...
- make a dent in work
- make a dent in workload
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Unwanted Reduction
Used to describe small progress in reducing something negative or excessive.
We need more than a few volunteers to actually make a dent in the city's pollution.
Pro Tip 2/3Minimal Impact
Implies that while there is some impact, it might not be very significant.
The discount barely made a dent in the overall price.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Use
It's usually metaphorical, not about physical dents.
Despite our efforts, we hardly made a dent in public opinion.
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