make/put a dent

phrase

: 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 + in

It'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

Even our coldest colds can no longer make a dent in record-setting heat. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

This team seems to have the goods to make a dent but also the capacity to fall right away. — Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2026

Edwards’ project aims to make a dent in Kansas City’s shortage of more than 60,000 affordable housing units. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026

After all, the idea of settling your debt for pennies on the dollar has a certain allure, especially when interest keeps stacking and the minimum payments barely make a dent. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026