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

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

The precise timing and location of the storms aren’t set in stone, but trends seem to show that the storms may likely occur after totality ends. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024

For much of the second half, the Warriors have played well but haven’t budged in the standings, creating the mirage that the table is set in stone. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024

The features included in Oura Labs, including Symptom Radar, aren’t set in stone, either. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024

However, with the NFL season not too far away and a handful of additional responsibilities around his other endeavors, Kelce teased his plan wasn't set in stone. —Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024

And while there is no set in stone therapeutic dose for CBD, most people have found relief by using doses that range from 2.85 to 50 mg/kg/day. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Most flights have a 1 + 1 rule: one carry-on bag that goes in the overhead bin and one personal item that fits under the seat in front in economy and on most domestic flights, but these guidelines are flexible and not totally set in stone. —Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024