"It's Not Set in Stone" Meaning & Use: Business Idioms for Flexibility & IELTS

Have you ever arranged something (a meeting, a study plan, a trip) and then changed it? That's normal. Plans shift. Priorities shift. The phrase "It's not set in stone" is perfect for these moments: it helps you sound flexible, polite, and professionally calm.

Quick Takeaway

Use "It's not set in stone" to show you're open to change. It's ideal for meetings, interviews, group projects, and IELTS speaking, especially when you want to sound adaptable rather than unsure.

What It Actually Means (Simple Version)

When you say "It's not set in stone," you're saying:

• This plan or idea is not final.

• We can still adjust or revise it.

• There's room for discussion and input.

Think of ancient laws carved on stone: permanent and unchangeable. Saying something is not set in stone signals the opposite: flexibility.

When to Use It: Practical Contexts

Business & Work Meetings

Example: "This schedule is not set in stone. We can adjust it based on client feedback."

Use it to show leadership that's collaborative. You're decisive but open.

Academic Settings

Example: "Our thesis title isn't set in stone; we'll refine it after more research."

Great for teamwork and presentations. It signals thoughtful analysis, not stubbornness.

Job Interviews

Interviewer: "How do you manage sudden changes?"

You: "I know that many plans are not set in stone. I stay flexible and find solutions."

This answer shows resilience and a growth mindset. Employers love that.

Everyday Talk

Example: "My weekend plans aren't set in stone. I might join you."

Casual and friendly. Shows you're flexible without being flaky.

Mini Visual: Short Dialogue

🗨️ A: Should we lock the meeting time?

🗨️ B: Not yet. It's not set in stone. We'll confirm after we hear from the client.

Grammar & Usage Checklist (Must-Remember)

• ✅ Correct: "It's not set in stone."

• ❌ Incorrect: "It's not set to stone." / "It's not set on stone."

• Use with plans, dates, ideas, decisions (not with physical objects like tables or chairs).

Quick Practice: Check Your Understanding

Choose the best reply when your manager suggests a new deadline:

(a) "That's final."

(b) "We'll see."

(c) "That deadline isn't set in stone. We can discuss adjustments." ✅

Why (c)? It's polite, shows collaboration, and keeps the door open for negotiation.

Alternatives to Avoid Repetition (Use These for Variety)

• Tentative: "This is a tentative plan." (more formal)

• Subject to change: Often used in writing / formal notices

• Up in the air: Informal, casual conversations

• Open to discussion: Professional, negotiation-friendly

• Playing it by ear: Very casual; for flexible, on-the-spot choices

IELTS Tip: How to Use It in the Test

Part 3 example: "I don't think career paths must be fixed. Most are not set in stone. With industries changing, people can retrain and thrive."

Using this idiom naturally shows range and lexical resource, and it helps with fluency when you use it to support an opinion.

Delivery Tip for Speaking

Pause a beat after "stone." That short pause makes the phrase sound calm and considered, perfect for meetings and speaking tests. This little pause often turns a flat sentence into a confident one.

Final Reflection: Practice It This Week

Try using the phrase once in a meeting, an email, or an English practice session. Combine it with a follow-up: "It's not set in stone. We could..." That combination sounds both flexible and proactive.

✦ Read up, speak up, rise up. Go slow. Go fast. Just don't stop.