seal (redirected from putting the seal on)

someone's fate is sealed

Fig. the destiny of somene has been determined. When the driver finally saw that the bridge was out, he knew his fate was sealed.

See also: fate

My lips are sealed.

Fig. I will tell no one this secret or this gossip. Mary: I hope you don't tell anyone about this. Alice: Don't worry. My lips are sealed. Bob: Don't you dare tell her I told you. Bill: My lips are sealed.

See also: lip

seal someone's fate

Fig. to determine finally the fate of someone. His lying and cheating sealed his fate. He was convicted and sent to prison.

See also: fate

seal something (up) (with something)

to fasten something closed with something. Please seal this box up with twine. Would you seal up this box with tape?

seal something off from someone or something and seal something off

to make something inaccessible to someone or something. The police sealed the building off from everyone. They sealed off the building from all the reporters.

seal a bargain and seal the bargain

Fig. to signify or celebrate the reaching of an agreement or bargain. They signed the papers and sealed the bargain by drinking champagne.

See also: bargain

sealed (up)

Sl. settled; secured; cinched. The matter was sealed by Monday morning. The contract was sealed up just in time.

sealed with a kiss and SWAK

written and sent with love and care. (The initialism is sometimes written on love letters. Also an acronym.) All her letters come SWAK. I know they are sealed with a kiss, because she says so.

See also: kiss

signed, sealed, and delivered

Fig. formally and officially signed; [for a formal document to be] executed. Here is the deed to the property—signed, sealed, and delivered. I can't begin work on this project until I have the contract signed, sealed, and delivered.

See also: and, deliver

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My lips are sealed.  (humorous)

something you say to let someone know that you will not tell anyone else what they have just told you 'I'd prefer you not to mention this to anyone else.' 'My lips are sealed.'

See lick lips, Read my lips!

See also: lip

put/set the seal on something   (slightly formal)

to make something certain or complete The ambassador's visit set the seal on the trade agreement between the two countries.

See also: put

seal somebody's fate

if an event seals someone's fate, they are certain to fail or to have an unpleasant experience in the future His father's illness sealed his fate - Sam gave up his hopes of a college education and stayed home to run the family business.

See also: fate

signed, sealed and delivered  (informal) also signed and sealed (informal)

if a document or an agreement is signed, sealed and delivered, it has been officially signed and completed A copy of the will, signed, sealed and delivered, arrived at our house the next morning. There was a signed and sealed statement from the prime minister to confirm the treaty had been accepted.

See also: and, deliver

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your lips are sealed

you will not talk about something He acts like he wants you to ask what happened, and then if you do ask, he tells you his lips are sealed.

See also: lip

seal somebody's/something's fate also seal the fate of somebody/something

to decide the future of someone or something His father's illness sealed his fate, making it impossible for him to go to college. The election of Abraham Lincoln sealed the fate of slavery.

Usage notes: usually refers to an unsuccessful or unpleasant future

See also: fate

seal of approval

a statement or action that shows a good opinion of something We can finalize the trip to China once we get Bernard's seal of approval. With the seal of approval of a government grant, arts organizations find it easier to raise funds.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of seal of approval (an official mark showing that something has been accepted)

See also: approval

signed and sealed

1. having official approval We won't get paid until the contract is signed and sealed.

Usage notes: usually refers to an agreement or contract

2. completed or made final He'll make a decision next week, but until then the matter isn't signed and sealed.

Etymology: based on a literal meaning of sign and seal (to put your signature and an official mark on a document that shows it is legal)

See also: and, signed