Carve in stone Meaning in English
expression
ˈkɑɹv/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈstoʊn
KARV in STONE
kˈɑːv/ /ˈɪn/ /stˈəʊn
KAHV in STOHN
Definition
If something is 'carved in stone', it means it is fixed, permanent, and cannot be changed.
Usage & Nuances
Used mostly in negative form: 'not carved in stone' to suggest something can change. It's an idiom, not literal, and often relates to plans, rules, or decisions. More formal or neutral register, rarely used in slang.
Spanish: escribir en piedra (figurado) - grabar en piedra (figurado)Portuguese (BR): escrever em pedra (figurado) - gravar em pedra (figurado)Portuguese (PT): escrever em pedra (figurado) - gravar em pedra (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 刻在石头上（比喻）- 一成不变的Chinese (Traditional): 刻在石頭上（比喻）- 一成不變的Hindi: पत्थर पर खुदा हुआ (रूपक)Arabic: منقوش في الحجر (مجازي) - قرار نهائيBengali: পাথরে খোদাই করা - স্থায়ীভাবে নির্ধারিতRussian: высечено в камне - неизменно решеноJapanese: 石に刻まれている - 固定されているVietnamese: khắc vào đá - không thay đổiKorean: 돌에 새겨진 - 절대 변하지 않는Turkish: taşa kazınmış - değiştirilemezUrdu: پتھر پر کندہ - ناقابلِ تبدیلیIndonesian: terukir di batu - tidak bisa diubah
Example Sentences
This rule isn't carved in stone; we can change it if needed.
basic
Our meeting time isn't carved in stone yet.
basic
Just because it's a rule doesn't mean it's carved in stone.
basic
Our plans aren't carved in stone—we can change them if something comes up.
natural
Don’t worry, none of this is carved in stone. We can be flexible.
natural
The deadline isn’t carved in stone; let me know if you need more time.
natural