make all the difference

phrase

: to be very important : to matter most or very much
The size of the engine can make all the difference.
It may not matter to you, but it makes all the difference in the world to me.

Examples of make all the difference in a Sentence

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While cookie-making can seem simple, paying attention to the small details along the way can make all the difference between an everyday batch and a bakery-worthy dozen. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026 Wildfires, earthquakes, severe storms and other disasters can leave little time to gather supplies or figure out where to go, so planning ahead can make all the difference. Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026 Small adjustments to regular garden practices—such as reducing soil disturbance, maintaining mulch, and watering slowly and deeply—can ultimately make all the difference. Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Win them over A little local know-how can make all the difference. Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for make all the difference

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Cite this Entry

“Make all the difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20all%20the%20difference. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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