carve (something) in stone
To make something permanent and incapable of being changed, typically a plan or idea. We might get brunch next weekend, but we haven't carved anything in stone yet. A: "Whoever signed off on these blueprints is definitely getting in trouble with the project manager." B: "I know, why would they carve this hideous design in stone?" I think I have a good shot at getting the job, but no one from the company has carved it in stone yet.
carved in stone
Permanently fixed or firmly established; incapable of being changed. Often used in the negative. The deal isn't yet carved in stone, but we're confident it will go ahead as hoped. Keep in mind that these blueprints are not carved in stone—they're just to give you a feel for the design. We might get brunch next weekend, but nothing is carved in stone.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
carve something in stone
Fig. to fix some idea permanently. No one has carved this one approach in stone; we have several options.
carved in stone
and engraved in stone; written in stoneFig. permanent or not subject to change. (Often in the negative.) Now, this isn't carved in stone yet, but this looks like the way it's going to be. Is this policy carved in stone, or can it still be modified?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.