The seriousness of his opening statement 'set the tone' for/of the meeting. [=his opening statement established that the meeting would be serious]
('Brit') I keep getting the 'engaged tone'. [=('US') 'busy signal'; the sound which indicates that the telephone line is already being used]
People will be more likely to listen to you if you 'tone down' your language a little.
(..) - No, no, no. Okay, that's not true. - Yes. There was some kind of fight, Chief... A psychotic child broke his arm! - A little girl, Chief. A little one. - That tone! Do you hear that tone? Honestly, I'm just trying to state a fact. - I don't have time for this. - It was a little girl... (..)2016 TvShow: Stranger Things Title: Chapter Seven: The Bathtub Season: 1 Episode 7