Set in stone

Definitions

• unchangeable or permanent
  To describe something as fixed or unalterable, often in the context of a decision or plan.

• firmly established or agreed upon
  To indicate that something has been firmly established or agreed upon and will not be changed or challenged.

• precise or exact
  To convey that something is extremely precise or exact, leaving no room for interpretation or variation.

Examples of Set in stone

• The decision to increase taxes has been set in stone by the government, and it is unlikely to change.

  This idiom means that a decision has been made firmly and is not likely to be altered. The phrase "set in stone" implies that the decision is as solid and unchangeable as a stone sculpture.

• The plan for the new building was set in stone by the architect, and no changes were allowed.

  In this example, the architect's decision to stick to a particular plan is compared to the permanence of a stone sculpture.

• The politician's stance on the issue was set in stone, and he refused to budge.

  Here, the politician's unwavering position is compared to the immovability of a stone sculpture.

• The school's policy on uniforms has been set in stone for decades, and it's not likely to change anytime soon.

  This example illustrates how a decision that has been made for a long time can be as unchangeable as a stone sculpture.

• The author's writing style was set in stone from the beginning, and it remained consistent throughout his career.

  In this example, the author's writing style is compared to the consistency and permanence of a stone sculpture.

Conclusion

The idiom "set in stone" is typically used to describe something that is unchangeable, permanent, or firmly established. It is often used in situations where a decision has been made or a plan has been agreed upon and will not be altered. It can also be used to emphasize the exactness or precision of something.

In some cases, this idiom may be used to express disappointment or frustration with the lack of flexibility or adaptability in a situation. For example, someone may say "I wish our plans weren't set in stone so we could make changes if needed."

Origin of "Set in stone"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient times when laws and decrees were literally carved in stone to make them permanent and unchangeable. It was a common practice in many ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and the Romans, to inscribe important laws and decisions in stone monuments to ensure their longevity and credibility.

Over time, this practice evolved to become a metaphor for anything that is unalterable or fixed. The first recorded use of the phrase "set in stone" in its figurative sense was in the 19th century, and it has since become a popular idiom in the English language.