take a dent

USAGE SUMMARY

'take a dent' is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you can use the phrase 'take a hit'. For example, "The company took a hit when the shares fell so dramatically."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's going to take a dent out of two gangs".

The New York Times

To a certain extent the euphoria we've seen after Tunisia and Egypt will take a dent.

The New Yorker

BlackBerry, a long-suffering mobile brand, could take a dent if Apple boosts the enterprise-facing features of its own mobile operating system, iOS.

TechCrunch

That has seen Correa raise taxes and take a dent in his approval ratings, which have fallen from around 80percenttothethe low 50s.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Has his confidence not taken a dent?

The Guardian - Sport

"My record has taken a dent but I can shrug that off.

Independent

But that terrible expression 'the brand' would have undoubtedly taken a dent".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's no doubt that Scottish pride took a dent in the aftermath of the banking crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even her symbolism as a hero of France's new ethnic minorities has taken a dent.

The Guardian

Later jackets (neo-Tudor ruffles and fuchsia Honey Monster, respectively) work hard to put things right, but Goldfrapp's image as an imperious visualist takes a dent here.

The Guardian - Music

If the crackdowns really took a dent out of G.D.P. growth, then one has to wonder how much of the consumption over the last few years has actually been government spending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "take a dent" in formal writing. Opt for more standard expressions like "take a hit" or "suffer a setback" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

A common error is assuming that all frequently used phrases are grammatically sound. While "take a dent" might be understood, it's not considered correct English. Always prioritize grammatically standard alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a dent" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to describe a negative impact or reduction. However, Ludwig AI identifies this expression as not grammatically correct, which impacts its usability in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "take a dent" is used to describe a negative impact or reduction, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its usage is infrequent, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. For clarity and grammatical correctness, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "take a hit" or "suffer a setback", especially in formal or professional settings. This ensures that your writing remains both understandable and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a hit

More common and grammatically correct alternative for experiencing a negative impact.

suffer a setback

Implies a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

experience a decline

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration.

bear the brunt

Indicates enduring the main force of something unpleasant.

feel the pinch

Describes experiencing financial strain or hardship.

undergo a reduction

Formal phrasing for a decrease in size, amount, or extent.

absorb a loss

Highlights accepting and dealing with a financial or material loss.

face a downturn

Indicates encountering a period of economic decline.

receive a blow

Highlights the negative impact and disappointment of something.

sustain damage

Emphasizes the harm or injury caused.

FAQs

What does "take a dent" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "take a dent" generally means to suffer a negative impact or reduction. Consider using a more standard phrase like "take a hit".

Is it correct to say "take a dent"?

No, it is not considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect English. It's better to use phrases such as "suffer a setback" or "experience a decline" instead.

What can I say instead of "take a dent"?

You can use alternatives like "take a hit", "suffer a setback", or "experience a decline" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "take a dent" or "take a hit"?

"Take a hit" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase. "Take a dent" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing.