make/put a dent
idiom
: to decrease something slightly or to make something somewhat weaker
We tried our best to fix the problem, but nothing we did seems to have made a dent.
—often + inIt's going to take more than a new law to make a dent in the city's drug crime.
a vacation that won't put too big a dent in your wallet
Examples of make/put a dent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Limiting credit card benefits could put a dent in the loyalty miles and points game for consumers and a proverbial crater in the bottom line for airlines and hotels that rely on credit card revenue to offset slim margins elsewhere.
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Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
High inflation has also put a dent in the service’s budget, Rayne said.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2025
Feeble turnout during the A’s stint here could put a dent in their dreams of securing a new team, should the league follow through on its plans to expand beyond 30 teams in the coming years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2025
Worries about geopolitical risks and trade tariffs specifically did not put a dent in NFLX’s fundamental results in Q1 2025 or guidance outlook for Q2 2025.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make/put a dent
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Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
High inflation has also put a dent in the service’s budget, Rayne said.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2025
Feeble turnout during the A’s stint here could put a dent in their dreams of securing a new team, should the league follow through on its plans to expand beyond 30 teams in the coming years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2025
Worries about geopolitical risks and trade tariffs specifically did not put a dent in NFLX’s fundamental results in Q1 2025 or guidance outlook for Q2 2025.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make/put a dent
Cite this Entry
“Make/put a dent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%2Fput%20a%20dent. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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