a small hollow mark in the surface of something, caused by pressure or by being hit

a dent in the door of a car 车门上的凹陷

make/put a dent in somethingidiom 支出，花费

to make a small hollow mark in the surface of something

I dropped a hammer on the floor, and it dented the floorboard. 我一失手，锤子掉到地板上，把地板砸出了凹痕。

If you dent someone's confidence or pride, you make them feel less confident or proud.

His confidence was badly dented when he didn't get the job. 他没能得到那个工作，自信心受到了沉重的打击。