sets in stone
Makes completely unchangeable
Sets in stone means to make something fixed and unchangeable.
The metaphor comes from carving into rock—what's engraved there is permanent.
Almost always appears in the negative: Nothing is set in stone yet, The schedule isn't set in stone.
The affirmative form emphasizes finality: Once the contract is signed, the terms are set in stone.
- finalizedMade permanent and complete
- done dealFinalized, irreversible agreement
- cast in concreteImpossible to change
- immutableIncapable of being changed
- setArrange in position
unchangeable · confirmed · final answer · inflexible · engraved · chiseled · determined · decreed · concluded · ratified · signed and sealed · irrevocable · no turning back · fixed · rigid · indelible · carved · settled
sets in stonetentative
Uncertain and provisional
provisional · subject to change · up in the air · flexible · changeable
sets, setting, stone, stones, stoned, stoning, stony, stonework