make a dent
The phrase "make a dent" can be used both literally and figuratively to describe creating an indentation or making noticeable progress.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(figurative, common)To achieve noticeable progress or reduce the amount of something.
Example
- Despite the long hours, we only made a dent in the workload.
- Their donation made a dent in the charity's fundraising goal.
B2Physical
(literal)To create a depression or indentation in a surface.
Example
- He accidentally made a dent in the car door.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "make a dent":
make one's markmake a differencechisel outchisel incarve out