carved/etched/set/written in stone

noun phrase

: permanent or not able to be changed

These new rules are not carved in stone; if they don't work, we'll change them.

Examples of carved/etched/set/written in stone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Naturally, fans believe that the next season will go back to Benedict’s story, however, nothing has been set in stone quite yet. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 18 May 2024

But Murray warns no future is set in stone in a show that uses time like a Stretch Armstrong toy. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 17 May 2024

The governor noted that his proposal is not set in stone and that lawmakers might reject his cuts. —Nicole Nixon, Sacramento Bee, 14 May 2024

And although things aren’t set in stone yet, there’s a good chance that will be the case again for the Hornets’ current crop of assistants. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2024

Consider this: Interest and interest rates date back to ancient Babylon—where they were engraved into a pillar more than seven feet high (literally and metaphorically set in stone) in Hammurabi’s Code. —Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

However, this isn’t a set in stone rule, but rather what some people simply enjoy. —Chrono Therapeutics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Another important point to make is that retirement benefits aren’t set in stone. —Tim Fries, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

As fans have already noted during these first few weeks of the 2024 touring resumption, the setlists tend to be only about 75% set in stone. —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024