make a difference

[zmaros]

I very frequently hear this expression "make a difference".

What does it mean exactly?

Thanks,
Zoli

[RonBee]

The phrase "make a difference" is a fairly meaningless, pladitudinous expression that literally means "influence" or "have influence on".

:)

[zmaros]

Sorry,
maybe I'm not clever enough but I have never heard this word:

pladitudinous

and I couldn't find that in the dictionaries.


Thank you for your answer.

[Tdol]

Here's what www.dictionary.com found:

plat·i·tude ( P ) Pronunciation Key (plt-td, -tyd)
n.
A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. See Synonyms at cliché.
Lack of originality; triteness.


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[French, from plat, flat, from Old French. See plate.]
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plati·tudi·nous (-tdn-s, -tyd-) or plati·tudi·nal (-tdn-l, -tyd-) adj.
plati·tudi·nous·ly adv.


If you'relooking for online dictionaries, both this and www.oneloook.com are excellent resources.

[zmaros]

Now, that is already clear.

Thanks, and I really like this WebSite.

[Tdol]

Thanks and welcome.