Definition of dent

dentverb

sứt mẻ

/dent//dent/

The word "dent" has a fascinating origin! It comes from the Old French word "dent," which means "tooth" or "to receive a blow." This is because, in Middle French, the word "dent" was used to describe the act of receiving a blow or a hit, as if the surface being hit had received a "tooth-like" impression. The word "dent" has been used in English since the 14th century and initially referred to the act of beating or hitting something, such as "to dent a piece of metal." Over time, the meaning of the word shifted to describe the physical depression or impression caused by a blow, such as a dent in metal or a dent in one's headgear. Today, the word "dent" is used in various contexts, including dentistry, physics, and everyday language. Despite its evolution, the word retains its connection to the idea of receiving a blow or impression.

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to make a hollow place in a hard surface, usually by hitting it

tạo một chỗ rỗng trên một bề mặt cứng, thường bằng cách đánh vào nó

Example:
  • The back of the car was badly dented in the collision.

    Phần đuôi xe bị móp nặng sau cú va chạm.

  • The car was quite badly dented on one side.

    Chiếc xe bị móp khá nặng một bên.

to damage somebody’s confidence, reputation, etc.

làm tổn hại đến sự tự tin, danh tiếng của ai đó, v.v.

Example:
  • It seemed that nothing could dent his confidence.

    Dường như không có gì có thể làm mất đi sự tự tin của anh ấy.

Extra examples:
  • The experience failed to dent her confidence.

    Trải nghiệm đó không làm mất đi sự tự tin của cô.

  • Being turned down for the job dented his pride quite badly.

    Việc bị từ chối công việc đã làm tổn hại lòng tự trọng của anh ấy khá nặng nề.

  • Cheap goods from overseas could severely dent the company's sales.

    Hàng hóa giá rẻ từ nước ngoài có thể ảnh hưởng nghiêm trọng đến doanh số bán hàng của công ty.

Idioms

have/want none of something
to refuse to accept something
  • I offered to pay but he was having none of it.
  • They pretended to be enthusiastic about my work but then suddenly decided they wanted none of it.
  • none but
    (literary)only
  • None but he knew the truth.
  • none the less
    despite this fact
    none other than
    used to emphasize who or what somebody/something is, when this is surprising
  • Her first customer was none other than Mrs Obama.