Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom. Make all the difference

2025

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

Make all the difference

  1. A.

    Influence someone or something in a negative way

  2. B.

    Influence someone or something in a positive way

  3. C.

    Have a brief and concise summary

  4. D.

    Have a well-mannered approach

Attempted by 1 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Concept: An idiom is a fixed expression whose overall meaning differs from a literal, word-by-word reading, so it must be matched to its accepted dictionary sense rather than parsed literally.

Application: Standard usage references (such as the Cambridge and Oxford learner's dictionaries) define the idiom "make all the difference" as producing an important, beneficial effect on a situation or outcome -- that is, to influence something for the better.

Cross-check: Comparing each offered meaning against this accepted sense:

  • "Influence someone or something in a negative way" describes the opposite polarity of effect and does not match the idiom's established positive sense.

  • "Have a brief and concise summary" describes conciseness, which is the sense of a different idiom (such as "in a nutshell"), not of "make all the difference".

  • "Have a well-mannered approach" describes conduct or etiquette, unrelated to producing an effect on an outcome.

Result: the idiom "make all the difference" therefore means to influence someone or something in a positive way.

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