make a dent
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.67 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To make an impression; to have an effect on; to chip away at.
verb
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see make, a, dent.
Example Sentences
- "If an actor doesn't have a point of view, he doesn't make a dent. And I mean to make a dent."
- "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."
- "Clinton's budget plan on social needs will barely make a dent [title]"
- "China's Efforts Against Crime Make No Dent [title]"
- "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."
Inflected Forms
makes a dent (present, singular)
making a dent (participle, present)
made a dent (participle, past)
made a dent (past)
leave a dent (alternative)
put a dent (alternative)