make a difference

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make a difference (third-person singular simple present makes a difference, present participle making a difference, simple past and past participle made a difference)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To carry out an action, the result of which is a significant change, or an altered circumstance.

   I was hoping that, by volunteering at this refuge, I could make a difference, however small.

2. (idiomatic, intransitive) To be of importance; to matter.

   I don't think it makes a difference whether you come tonight or not.

   • 2013, Debora L. Spar, Wonder Women‎, page 114:

     Increasingly, it does not make a difference—economically, at least—whether the husband or wife is the primary wage earner, or whether either or both of them work.

• difference maker
• difference-making

• make all the difference