set the tone

phrase

: 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

Witt set the tone as the club jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

The competitors involved in the first match have to set the tone for how the rest of the next few hours will go. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

The gray dress was crafted with a slim-fitting silhouette, with an off-the-shoulder neckline that set the tone for the contemporary dress with classic design cues. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Ly emphasized that aspiring creators need to prioritize authenticity, lean into quirks and let the animal set the tone. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Rhymes for set the tone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone