be engraved in (one's) memory
To be something that one will always remember. The day you were born is just engraved in my memory—I could never forget what it felt like to hold you for the first time. The overwhelming feeling of love I had when I saw you walking down the aisle at our wedding is engraved in my memory. You'd think graduation day would be engraved in my memory, but I really don't remember that much about it.
be engraved in (one's) mind
To be something that one will always remember. The day you were born is just engraved in my mind—I could never forget what it felt like to hold you for the first time. The overwhelming feeling of love I had when I saw you walking down the aisle at our wedding is engraved in my mind. You'd think graduation day would be engraved in my mind, but I really don't remember that much about it.
be engraved on (one's) heart
To be something that one will always remember. The day you were born is just engraved on my heart—I could never forget what it felt like to hold you for the first time. The overwhelming feeling of love I had when I saw you walking down the aisle at our wedding is engraved on my heart. You'd think graduation day would be engraved on my heart, but I really don't remember that much about it.
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.
engrave (something) into (something)
To etch or carve something into a surface or material. When we got our sidewalk repaved, the kids engraved their initials into the cement. The woman at the store said that they can engrave our wedding date into the picture frame. Would you be able to engrave my late mother's initials into the ring?
engrave (something) on (something)
To etch or carve something onto a surface or material. The woman at the store said that they can engrave our wedding date on the picture frame. Would you be able to engrave my late mother's initials on the ring? When we got our sidewalk repaved, the kids engraved their initials on the cement.
engrave (something) onto (something)
To etch or carve something onto a surface or material. The woman at the store said that they can engrave our wedding date onto the picture frame. Would you be able to engrave my late mother's initials onto the ring? When we got our sidewalk repaved, the kids engraved their initials onto the cement.
engrave (something) upon (something)
1. To etch or carve something onto some surface or material. The woman at the store said that they can engrave our wedding date upon the picture frame. Would you be able to engrave my late mother's initials upon the ring? When we got our sidewalk repaved, the kids engraved their initials upon the cement.
2. By extension, to commit something to memory. After missing my first appointment, I engraved the rescheduled date upon my brain. There's no way around it—we have to engrave the multiplication tables upon our students' minds. A: "No, not 6:00—you need to be there no later than 5:30, OK?" B: "Yes, I have engraved it upon my memory."
engrave (something) with (something)
1. To etch or carve something onto a surface or material. The woman at the store said that they can engrave the picture frame with our wedding date. Would you be able to engrave the ring with my late mother's initials? Our kids were eager to engrave the freshly paved sidewalk with their initials.
2. To use something, such as a tool, to etch or carve into a surface or material. The artist engraved a design into the linoleum with a small cutter. A: "You guys engraved a heart into the tree trunk with a pocketknife?" B: "Yeah, 'cause we're going out, like, officially now." I don't think you'll be able to carve your initials into your desk with just a pen.
engraved in stone
Permanently fixed or firmly established; incapable of being changed. Often used in the negative. The deal isn't yet engraved in stone, but we're confident it will go ahead as hoped. Please tell me that rule is not engraved in stone—we would be a lot more productive if we didn't have to adhere to it every time. Keep in mind that these blueprints are not engraved in stone—they're just to give you a feel for the design.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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?
engrave something into something
to cut symbols into something. She engraves a lovely design into the soap that she puts out for guests. Todd engraved his initials into the bark of the tree.
engrave something on(to) something
to cut symbols into the surface of something. She engraved her initials onto the side of the tree. Ted engraved her name on the bracelet.
engrave something (up)on something
1. . Lit. to cut letters or a design into the surface of something; to engrave something on(to) something. Todd engraved his initials into the bark of the tree. Their names were engraved onto each of their wedding rings. He asked them to engrave his initials upon the back of his watch. He engraved his name on the desktop.
2. Fig. to imprint something firmly on someone's mind. I engraved the combination to the safe upon my brain. The teacher engraved the definition of a noun into my memory.
engrave something with something
1. . to carve something, such as letters, into something. He engraved the soft pewter with an old motto. Can you engrave my watch with a date?
2. to carve on something, using some tool or device. The worker engraved the watch with a sharp stylus. Can I engrave this bracelet with this tool? Is it sharp enough?
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.