fare la differenza

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to make the difference”. Compare French faire la différence.

Verb

fàre la differenza (first-person singular present fàccio la differenza, first-person singular past historic féci la differenza, past participle fàtto la differenza, first-person singular imperfect facévo la differenza, second-person singular imperative fài la differenza or fà' la differenza, auxiliary avére)

1. to tell the difference [with tra ‘between’]
2. to make a difference; to make the difference
   • 2023 December 31, Stefano Zurlo, “Scommesse vinte e altre da giocare. Le sfide del governo di fronte a Meloni [Bets won and others to be played. The challenges facing Meloni's government]”, in il Giornale‎^[1]:

     La verità è che il governo Meloni promette di durare tutta la legislatura, e sarebbe una novità clamorosa, e potrebbe fare la differenza.

     The truth is that the Meloni government promises to last the full term of the legislature, which would be a sensational novelty, and it could make the difference.