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.
(..) - Bad hair day. We do so have an eye. It's around here somewhere. The last time I saw it, you put it in the glove compartment, Anger. Don't use that tone with my name. It's not there this time. Wasp always puts it with the keys. - And it's . - So is mine! Shouldn't the driver get the eye? (..)2013 Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters