Set In Stone for Dummies

Set in Stone is an expression we often use to describe something that is fixed, unchangeable, or certain, as if it were carved into rocks that can't be easily altered. It's like when we write something in permanent marker on a piece of paper, and no amount of erasing can remove it. In other words, when we say something is "set in stone," we mean that it is firmly established and cannot be easily changed or undone.

Think about it this way: imagine you're building a puzzle. When you put the pieces together and secure them with glue, they become permanently fixed, right? Well, when something is "set in stone," it's like gluing those puzzle pieces together. It cannot be taken apart or rearranged anymore. It's there to stay, just like the words carved into a rock.

Let me give you a few examples to make it even clearer. Let's say you and your friend made plans to go to the movies, and you both agreed to meet at a specific time. If your friend suddenly calls and says they can't make it because something important came up, you might feel disappointed. But if you had told your friend that this plan is "set in stone," it means that you both agreed to it firmly and considered it unchangeable. So, canceling wouldn't be an option unless there was an extremely good reason.

Moreover, imagine you're working on a big school project with a group of classmates. You all decide on who will be responsible for which parts of the project, and you write it down on a piece of paper. If one of your classmates suddenly wants to change their roles or responsibilities, you could remind them that the plan was "set in stone." This means that everyone agreed on the original plan and it cannot be easily altered, just like words etched into solid rock.

So, whenever you hear someone saying that something is "set in stone," know that it means it's unchangeable, fixed, and not easily undone. It's like an unerasable mark on paper or words permanently engraved in rock.