carved in stone
Impossible to change
Carved in stone describes something fixed and unchangeable, as if permanently etched into rock.
The phrase usually appears in the negative: The schedule isn't carved in stone, meaning adjustments are still possible.
When something is carved in stone, it cannot be altered or reconsidered.
Also *set in stone*, *etched in stone*, *written in stone*.
- preservedKept from deterioration
- irreversibleCannot be undone
- engravedCut into surface
- unalterableIncapable of being changed
- etchedCarved into a surface
permanent · irrevocable · inscribed · immutable · epitaph · inscription · commandments · monumental · sculpted · commemorated · unchangeable · Moses · memorialized · ancient · timeless · written · signed and sealed · final
- fatedestiny, fate, kismet, Moira, fated
- eternityeternity, everlasting, eternal, timeless, perpetuity
carved in stoneflexible
Able to bend freely
subject to change · tentative · provisional · changeable · negotiable
carved in stoneuncertain
Not firmly known
undecided · unconfirmed · preliminary · pending · open-ended
carved in stonenoncommittal
Not expressing clear opinion
informal · non-binding · casual · off the cuff · unofficial
stone, carve, carved, carving, carver, carvers, uncarved, carvable