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.
(..) walk you through this. Jesus. Did you look at him? You'd be doing him a favor. Hello, please record after the tone. and you need to hear it immediately, Hey. What's up? Yeah? (..)2013 TvShow: Breaking Bad Title: Felina Season: 5 Episode 16