make / put a dent in sth

/mˌeɪk pˌʊt ɐ dˈɛnt ɪn ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

to make / put a dent in sth

to lessen the amount of a thing, particularly tasks or money

make a dent in sth

/mˌeɪk ɐ dˈɛnt ɪn ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

to make a dent in sth

***to make a depression in something.

Examples

1. I haven’t even made a dent in that huge stack of papers I have to read.

2. You hardly made a dent in your dinner.

3. I kicked the side of the car and made a dent in it.

4. Please don't make a dent in the side of the house.