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set the tone

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
set the tone
if something someone says or does sets the tone for an event or activity, it establishes the way that event or activity will continue, especially the mood of the people involved. He was furious when she arrived late, and that set the tone for the whole evening. (often + for)
See also: set, tone


set the tone (for something)
to establish a particular mood or character for something. The governor's speech was intended to set the tone for the party's national convention next week.
Usage notes: sometimes used with an adjective before tone: The announcement of last month's sales figures set an optimistic tone for the meeting.
See also: set, tone

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The men who set the tone in conversation- Count Rostopchin, Prince Yuri Dolgorukov, Valuev, Count Markov, and Prince Vyazemski- did not show themselves at the Club, but met in private houses in intimate circles, and the Moscovites who took their opinions from others- Ilya Rostov among them- remained for a while without any definite opinion on the subject of the war and without leaders.
Mawmsey's friendly jocoseness in questioning him which had set the tone of Lydgate's reply.
 
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