cement

be cast in cement

To be firmly or permanently established; to be unalterable or not subject to change. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until it's cast in cement before we know exactly what it will do. Keep in mind that these blueprints are not cast in cement—they're just to give you a feel for the design. Nothing is cast in cement, of course, but I do think you have a good shot at getting the job.

See also: cast, cement

be set in cement

To be firmly or permanently established; to be unalterable or not subject to change. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until it's set in cement before we know exactly what it will do. Keep in mind that these blueprints are not set in cement—they're just to give you a feel for the design. Nothing is set in cement, of course, but I do think you have a good shot at getting the job.

See also: cement, set

cement (something) on (something)

To use glue or another strong adhesive substance to fasten two things together. We need to cement this piece back on the vase before Mom gets home and discovers it's broken! What do we use to cement the tile on the shower walls? Good job cementing the handle on the drawer—it just came off in my hand.

See also: cement, on

cement together

To use glue or another strong adhesive substance to fasten two or more things together. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cement" and "together." We need to cement the handle together before Mom gets home and discovers that the vase is broken! Let's use some caulk to cement together the loose tiles. Hey, be careful with that glue—you don't want to cement your fingers together by accident!

See also: cement, together

set (something) in cement

To establish something firmly or permanently; to make something unalterable or not subject to change. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until Congress sets it in cement before we know exactly what it will do.

See also: cement, set

set in cement

Firmly or permanently established; not subject to change; unalterable. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until it's set in cement before we know exactly what it will do.

See also: cement, set

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cement something on(to) something

 and cement something on

to fasten something onto something with glue or household cement. Cement this handle back onto the cup. Now, cement on the other handle. I will cement it on for you.

See also: cement, on

cement something together

to fasten something together with glue or household cement. Use this stuff to cement the vase together. Will you cement these parts together?

See also: cement, together

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in cement

Firmly settled or determined; unalterable. For example, Their policy on taxes was set in cement despite opposition. For a synonym, see cast in stone.

See also: cement

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cement city

n. a cemetery. I’m too young to end up in cement city.

See also: cement, city

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

in cement

Firmly settled or determined; unalterable: The administration's position on taxes was set in cement despite the unfavorable public response.

See also: cement

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.