set the tone
idiom
: to establish a quality, feeling, or attitude by a manner of speaking or writing
Her lighthearted question set the tone for the rest of the interview.
Examples of set the tone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These scenes set the tone for the 8-episode series, which the streamer released in a binge drop on Jan. 24.
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Isadora Wandermurem, TIME, 25 Jan. 2025
These early emotional repairs set the tone for a more connected and resilient relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
His aggressiveness in that area set the tone against Ridgewood.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Utah’s second offensive possession of the game basically set the tone — and made clear that one of these teams is not like the other.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
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Isadora Wandermurem, TIME, 25 Jan. 2025
These early emotional repairs set the tone for a more connected and resilient relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
His aggressiveness in that area set the tone against Ridgewood.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Utah’s second offensive possession of the game basically set the tone — and made clear that one of these teams is not like the other.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for set the tone
Dictionary Entries Near set the tone
Cite this Entry
“Set the tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20tone. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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