make a difference
make a difference
1. To have some effect on something; to cause a change. Will it make a difference if I add the salt before or after I heat up the soup? I don't think it will make a difference if we're five minutes late.
2. To have an impact, especially in a positive way. Graduates, you can make a difference in this world. You can reshape the future! He probably doesn't know it, but his kindness to us as kids really made a difference.
See also: difference, make
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make a difference
1. Distinguish or discriminate. This phrase appears in the Bible (Leviticus 11:47): "To make a difference between the unclean and the clean." [Late 1500s]
2. Also, make the difference. Cause a change in effect, change the nature of something, as in His score on this test will make the difference between passing and failing, or These curtains sure make a difference in the lighting.
3. Be important, matter, as in Her volunteer work made a difference in many lives. The antonym of this usage is make no difference, as in It makes no difference to me if we go immediately or in an hour. This usage appeared long ago in slightly different versions. Miles Coverdale's translation of the Bible of 1535 had it is no difference, and the converse, it makes great difference, was first recorded about 1470.
See also: difference, make
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
make a, no, some, etc. ˈdifference (to/in somebody/something)
have an effect/no effect on somebody/something: The rain didn’t make much difference to the game. Your age shouldn’t make any difference to whether you get the job or not. Changing schools made a big difference to my life.See also: difference, make
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- make a, no, some, etc. difference
- make no difference
- in the soup
- be in the soup
- salt (something) with (something)
- salt with
- thicken up
- salt down
- salt (something) down
- dog('s) soup