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

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Floor-to-ceiling windows, neutral tones, and sleek furnishings by Mies Van Der Rohe set the tone for a sophisticated stay. —

Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2024 Also for that Game 1 homer against the Padres, that set the tone for the postseason. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Your decisions set the tone for your organization, and ethical missteps can quickly erode trust—not just with your team, but with your customers and stakeholders. —

William Arruda, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The quarterback threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns to Ladd McConkey and rushed for 49 more yards, including a career-high 38-yard run in the second quarter that seemed to set the tone for an offense still struggling to find steady footing. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for set the tone

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“Set the tone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20the%20tone. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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