make a difference

English

make a difference (third-person singular simple present makes a difference, present participle making a difference, simple past and past participle made a difference)

(idiomatic, intransitive) To carry out an action, the result of which is a significant change, or an altered circumstance.
I was hoping that, by volunteering at this refuge, I could make a difference, however small.
(idiomatic, intransitive) To be of importance; to matter.
I don't think it makes a difference whether you come tonight or not.
- 2013, Debora L. Spar, Wonder Women‎^[1], page 114:
  Increasingly, it does not make a difference—economically, at least—whether the husband or wife is the primary wage earner, or whether either or both of them work.

carry out an action the result of which is significant

be of importance