set in stone
/ˌset ɪn ˈstəʊn/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
fixed and impossible to alter
Examples
- 1These are only rough ideas; nothing is set in stone yet.
- 2The wedding date isn't set in stone, so we could move it to June.
- 3The timetable for next term is set in stone, so the dates can't change now.
- 4Don't worry, the menu isn't set in stone; we can still add a vegetarian option.
- 5Are the rules of the competition set in stone, or can the judges make exceptions?
Grammar
set is a past participle here and does not change. Usually after be, often in the negative.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about decisions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →hedge your betsto avoid committing to one option so that you cannot losechop and changeto keep switching your plans or opinionsburn your bridgesto do something that makes it impossible to go back latera leap in the darka risky choice when you cannot know the resultthe die is casta decision has been made and now cannot be undonetake the plungeto finally decide to do something important or risky
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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