cast in stone

USAGE SUMMARY

"cast in stone" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is so definite and certain that it cannot be changed. For example: "The date for the event has been cast in stone; it will definitely be held on July 4th."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But these predispositions aren't cast in stone.

The New York Times

Some decisions are cast in stone.

The Guardian - Books

Everybody agrees that nothing is cast in stone yet.

The New York Times - Science

I don't think anything is cast in stone.

The Guardian

He said: "That is not cast in stone.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's not cast in stone yet, but Rassoul seems to be the most likely scenario".

The New York Times

Second, who's to say that the bipolar pattern of British politics is cast in stone?

The Guardian

Mr. Tyson defended the N.H.T.S.A. program, but said it was not cast in stone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

So far, the literature has not been able to provide any cast-in-stone definition or measurement that is all encompassing in explaining environmental consciousness.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

"We really don't want this to be a static, cast-in-stone framework," said Schnipper.

Los Angeles Times

Sculpture is Shai's forte, and a cast-in-stone torso of "Mother and Child" is a modest $195.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cast in stone" to emphasize the finality and unchangeable nature of a decision, plan, or rule. It adds a strong sense of permanence.

Common error

Avoid using "cast in stone" when describing something that is still evolving or subject to modification. It implies a level of rigidity that may not be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast in stone" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig and its examples show that it's primarily used to emphasize the permanence and unchangeability of something, such as a decision or a plan.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast in stone" is a common idiomatic phrase used to indicate that something is permanent and unchangeable. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. While it can be used across different registers, it's essential to use it accurately to convey finality and avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives include "set in stone" and "written in stone", which share a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set in stone

This alternative directly replaces "cast" with "set", maintaining the imagery and meaning of being unchangeable.

carved in stone

Synonymous with "cast in stone", emphasizing permanence and difficulty to alter.

etched in stone

Conveys a sense of deep and lasting inscription, making change improbable.

written in stone

This emphasizes the idea of a permanent record that cannot be altered.

unalterable

This is a more formal and direct way of saying something cannot be changed.

immutable

Similar to "unalterable", this term suggests a fixed and permanent state.

irrevocable

Indicates that a decision or action cannot be taken back or reversed.

definitively decided

Focuses on the decision-making aspect, highlighting that a final choice has been made.

not subject to change

A straightforward expression that emphasizes the lack of flexibility.

firmly established

Suggests a solid foundation and a resistance to alteration.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "cast in stone"?

When something is described as "cast in stone", it means it is fixed, unchangeable, and permanent. The phrase suggests that a decision, plan, or rule is final and cannot be altered.

What are some alternatives to saying "cast in stone"?

You can use alternatives such as "set in stone", "written in stone", or "unalterable" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "cast in stone" in a formal setting?

Yes, "cast in stone" can be used in formal settings to emphasize the finality of a decision or agreement. However, be mindful of the audience and ensure the idiom is appropriate for the context.

How to use "cast in stone" in a sentence?

You can use "cast in stone" like this: "The project's deadline is set in stone and cannot be extended."