Hi everyone! Thank you for tuning in to Time for English.

Are you familiar with the expression "set in stone"?

The other day, I was in a meeting as an interpreter. My clients and their counterparts were talking about a project they're launching together. One of the gentlemen in the meeting, who's from the U.S., said about its timeline and milestones, "Nothing is set in stone yet".

If something is set in stone, it's fixed, permanent and unchangeable. For example, you're negotiating an agreement. At this point in time, anything can change. In other words, nothing is set in stone yet. Once the agreement is signed and executed, you can no longer change it. It's now set in stone.

The phrase is very often used in business as it typically refers to a plan or idea. And instead of saying "set in stone," you can also say ‘written in stone" or "carved in stone".

Now, would you like to try a quiz? You'll be given three options. Please listen carefully and choose the one that is TRUE. Ready?

If something is set in stone,

1.it's decided.

2.it's flexible.

3.it's heavy.