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

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That same dazzling energy that guided the team to victory almost 12 years ago once again set the tone for the dominant 31-2 victory over the Texans Wednesday. —

Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 26 Dec. 2024 Advertisement The outcome of the confirmation process, and the level of dissent in the Senate, will likely set the tone for Trump’s presidency and his relationship with Congress, which was frequently tumultuous during his first term. —

Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024 The outcome of this high-level summit will set the tone for a healthier, more resilient future. —

Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 The release of Challengers arguably set the tone for the rest of the year, what with its intricate rituals and phallic churros. —

Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for set the tone