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concrete

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concrete jungle

An overcrowded, unsafe and/or crime-ridden urban environment or city, characterized by the congestion of large buildings and roads. After years living in that concrete jungle, I'm looking forward to being in a place with a bit of grass and friendly neighbors.

See also: concrete, jungle

be cast in concrete

To be firmly or permanently established; to be unalterable or not subject to change. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until it's cast in concrete before we know exactly what it will do.

See also: cast, concrete

cast in concrete

Firmly or permanently established; not subject to change; unalterable. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until it's cast in concrete before we know exactly what it will do.

See also: cast, concrete

set (something) in concrete

To establish something firmly or permanently; to make something unalterable or not subject to change. The healthcare law looks promising, but we'll have to wait until Congress sets it in concrete before we know exactly what it will do.

See also: concrete, set

set in concrete

firmly established and very difficult to change set in stone The basics of the financial plan are set in concrete.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form written in concrete: Nothing is written in concrete – we can still make changes.

See also: concrete, set

be set in concrete

if an arrangement, a plan or a rule is set in concrete, it is completely fixed so that it cannot be changed (usually negative) We've drawn up some rough guidelines - they're by no means set in concrete.

See also: concrete, set