took a dent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a dent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been damaged or has suffered a setback, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The company's reputation took a dent after the scandal, but they are working hard to rebuild trust with their customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Opinion

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

Geelong's finals hopes took a dent but the equation facing them remains the same – they're alive if they beat Collingwood and the Crows fall to the Eagles this weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

Bitcoin's value took a dent when the news came out, but it quickly recovered.

TechCrunch

Rodgers clearly sees the possibilities in his request to speak to Leicester - if he can achieve those targets, a reputation that took a dent in the Premier League context from his latter days at Liverpool will receive some serious restoration.

BBC

if a host falls for it, and you pick the wrong colour flower, stress that that took a dent out of your wallet, and try again.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Has his confidence not taken a dent?

The Guardian - Sport

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

The New York Times

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

Independent

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a dent" when you want to describe a slight negative impact or setback, rather than a complete failure or destruction. It suggests resilience and the ability to recover.

Common error

Avoid using "took a dent" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general contexts, opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary like "suffered a setback" or "experienced a decline" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a dent" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has been negatively affected or has suffered some damage. It is frequently used in contexts where something has faced a minor setback or a slight decline. Ludwig AI analysis shows that similar expressions are widely employed in media to describe negative impacts on various entities, but the frequency is uncommon.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took a dent" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a negative impact or setback, as supported by Ludwig's analysis of various sources. While deemed correct and usable, according to Ludwig, the phrase is most suitable for neutral contexts like news or general writing, but not for overly formal or academic contexts. Consider alternatives such as ""suffered damage"" or "experienced a decline" for more formal tones. When using "took a dent", remember that it implies a slight negative impact rather than complete destruction. Its frequency is uncommon, but when used properly, it conveys a clear and concise message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered damage

Replaces the metaphorical "dent" with a more direct description of harm.

incurred a setback

Focuses on the negative progress aspect, replacing "dent" with "setback".

experienced a decline

Shifts the focus to a decrease or reduction rather than damage.

was negatively impacted

A more formal and passive way of saying something was harmed.

was diminished

Emphasizes the reduction in size, importance, or quality.

was impaired

Highlights the weakening or damaging of something's function or ability.

was weakened

Focuses on the reduction of strength or effectiveness.

lost some ground

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate a loss of progress or position.

faced a challenge

Replaces the damage aspect with the presence of a difficulty.

met with adversity

Focuses on the confrontation with unfavorable circumstances.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "took a dent"?

It means that something experienced a negative impact, setback, or slight damage. It's often used metaphorically to describe harm to reputation, progress, or value.

How can I use "took a dent" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe various scenarios where something has been negatively affected. For example, "The company's profits "suffered damage" after the new regulations were introduced."

What's a more formal alternative to "took a dent"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "experienced a decline", "incurred a setback", or "was negatively impacted".

Is it grammatically correct to say "took a dent"?

Yes, "took a dent" is grammatically correct. It uses the verb "took" in the past tense with the indefinite article "a" and the noun "dent" to create a common idiomatic expression.