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
Jake LaRavia said the Lakers’ starters failed to establish the intensity needed to set the tone.
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Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Iamaleava set the tone against the Blackshirts on the Bruins’ second drive, converting three third downs as UCLA chewed nearly 10 minutes of clock on a 75-yard march that evened the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Leuzinger set the tone on defense early in the game when Pakipole Moala laid a big hit on a Crean Lutheran receiver, resulting in a lost fumble that was recovered by Jediah Cabs.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Wood and McIntyre, who went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season, connected for one more score in the third quarter — this time from 29 yards out — as the dynamic duo repeatedly set the tone for the Hawks.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
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Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Iamaleava set the tone against the Blackshirts on the Bruins’ second drive, converting three third downs as UCLA chewed nearly 10 minutes of clock on a 75-yard march that evened the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Leuzinger set the tone on defense early in the game when Pakipole Moala laid a big hit on a Crean Lutheran receiver, resulting in a lost fumble that was recovered by Jediah Cabs.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Wood and McIntyre, who went over 1,000 yards receiving on the season, connected for one more score in the third quarter — this time from 29 yards out — as the dynamic duo repeatedly set the tone for the Hawks.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 15 Nov. 2025.
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