Set and Done vs. Said and Done – Which is Correct?

“Said and done” is the standard idiom when you mean that something has been spoken, completed, or considered. “Set and done” is also grammatical, but it is much less common and usually means arranged, established, or prepared. Choose “said and done” for familiar expression when all is said and done.

Set and Done or Said and Done – Which is Correct?

Both phrases can be correct, but they do not usually mean the same thing. “Said and done” is the established idiom used when discussing words, actions, decisions, or events that have been completed or fully considered. It most often appears in the expression when all is said and done.

“Set and done” is grammatically possible but much less common. It generally suggests that something has been arranged, established, prepared, or settled. In many situations, writers who use “set and done” actually intend to write the familiar phrase “said and done.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the speech test: if the sentence refers to everything that has been discussed, decided, or experienced, choose said and done. The word said connects the phrase to words or statements.

Use set and done only when set means arranged or put into position. A useful swap test is to replace set with arranged. If the meaning still works, “set and done” may be appropriate. Otherwise, the standard phrase is probably “said and done.”

Word or Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
said and done	Fixed idiomatic phrase	Spoken, completed, or considered in its entirety	When all is said and done, the project was worthwhile.
set and done	Phrase	Arranged, established, or prepared and completed	Once the terms were set and done, the agreement could move forward.

How to Use Said and Done

“Said and done” is a fixed phrase that commonly refers to the complete outcome of a situation. Its best-known form is when all is said and done, which means “after everything has been discussed, attempted, or completed.” The phrase is suitable in casual conversation, journalism, business writing, speeches, and formal commentary.

It can also appear in variations such as before it is said and done or once everything is said and done. Although the phrase contains the past-tense verb said and the adjective or past participle done, it functions as a set expression rather than an ordinary verb phrase.

Example 1: When all is said and done, honesty was the best policy.

Example 2: Before the week is said and done, the team should have a final decision.

Example 3: Once everything was said and done, the neighbors reached a compromise.

Etymology of the phrase said and done

The phrase combines said, the past participle of say, with done, the past participle of do. The pairing reflects the idea that both words and actions have been brought to an end. The expanded expression when all is said and done became established in English as a way to summarize the final result of a situation.

How to Use Set and Done

“Set and done” is not the usual choice for the familiar idiom. It may be used literally or descriptively when set means arranged, fixed, established, or put into place. However, the phrase is relatively uncommon, and many readers may interpret it as a mistaken version of “said and done.”

In professional or polished writing, consider replacing “set and done” with a clearer expression such as arranged and completed, established and finished, or settled and finalized. Use the phrase only when its intended meaning is unmistakably connected to setting something in place.

Example 1: With the schedule set and done, the organizers began sending invitations.

Example 2: The basic framework was set and done before the engineers started testing it.

Example 3: Once the rules were set and done, every participant received a copy.

Etymology of the phrase set and done

Set comes from Old English settan, meaning “to put” or “to place,” while done comes from the Old English verb related to dōn, meaning “to do” or “to make.” Unlike “said and done,” “set and done” has not developed into a comparably common fixed idiom. Its meaning therefore depends heavily on context.

Related Concepts

Understanding idioms, verb forms, and context helps explain why these two similar-looking phrases should not be used interchangeably.

• Fixed idiom: A fixed idiom is a conventional expression whose wording and meaning have become established through repeated use. “When all is said and done” is a familiar example.
• Past participle: Said and done are past participles. They can help form verb tenses, but in this phrase they work together as part of an idiomatic expression.
• Contextual meaning: The meaning of “set” changes according to context. It can mean placed, arranged, fixed, or established, which makes “set and done” more literal and less predictable.

Examples from Media and Literature

The standard phrase “said and done” appears across many types of communication, including fiction, journalism, speeches, and film dialogue.

• Novels: A narrator may use “when all is said and done” to reflect on the final consequences of a character’s choices.
• Newspaper editorials: Commentators often use the phrase when summarizing a debate, election, policy decision, or public controversy.
• Business reports: A report may conclude that, when all is said and done, a project succeeded despite delays or cost increases.
• Film dialogue: Characters frequently use “said and done” to express a practical judgment after an argument or difficult experience.
• Speeches: Speakers may end with the phrase to emphasize that long-term results matter more than temporary disagreements.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: set and done or said and done.

1. When all is ________, the community benefited from the new library.
2. The seating arrangement was ________ before the guests arrived.
3. Once everything was ________, both sides agreed to move forward.
4. The basic design was ________, so the team could begin construction.
5. Before the month is ________, we should know whether the plan worked.

Answer Key

1. said and done — This is the standard idiom for summarizing a final result.
2. set and done — The arrangement was established and completed.
3. said and done — The sentence uses the familiar expression referring to a completed situation.
4. set and done — The design had been arranged or established.
5. said and done — This is a variation of “when all is said and done.”

Said and Done Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Ultimately	In the end or after considering the final result
Finally	At the conclusion of an event or process
All things considered	After weighing all relevant facts and circumstances
In the final analysis	After examining the complete situation

Set and Done Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Arranged	Organized or prepared in advance
Established	Created, fixed, or accepted as a standard
Settled	Resolved or brought to an agreement
Finalized	Completed and made official

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “said and done” the correct phrase?
Yes. “Said and done” is the standard phrase, especially in the expression “when all is said and done,” meaning after everything has been considered or completed.

Question 2: Is “set and done” wrong?
Not necessarily. “Set and done” can be understood when set means arranged or established, but it is uncommon. In most idiomatic contexts, “said and done” is the expected wording.

Question 3: What does “when all is said and done” mean?
It means “in the end” or “after everything has been discussed, attempted, and completed.” It introduces a final judgment or summary.

Conclusion

Use “said and done” for the familiar idiom about final results, decisions, or completed events: when all is said and done. Use “set and done” only when you specifically mean that something was arranged or established. Pro Tip: In professional writing, choosing the established idiom “said and done” avoids confusion and protects your credibility.