set the tone

set the tone

To establish the mood of something, or the manner in which something will be conducted.
Her warm greeting really set the tone for the dinner party, which was one of the loveliest I have ever attended.
The first paragraph really sets the tone for the rest of the piece by introducing subtle humor and an unexpected point of view.
See also: set, tone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
set the ;tone (of/for something) create or establish a general feeling or atmosphere among a group of people (about a particular subject): His very clever and very funny speech set the tone for the rest of the evening.
See also: set, tone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
a whole different animal
a whole different ball of wax
a whole different beast
(something) to go on
a slew of (something)
a/the feel of (something)
(I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
a straw will show which way the wind blows
a casualty of (something)
a crack at (someone or something)