Correct

定调子

/ dìng diào zi /
Strokes
https://i.cchatty2.com/filters:format(webp)/fit-in/684x0/img/202102/定调子-Chinese-idioms-Cchatty-89fb07a6-978c-4e0f-b2bb-84e160cbe50b-1612776943.jpg

Collocation

1
定下了调子
2
定好了调子
3
按照所定的调子行事
4
为会议定调子

Definition

定调子

Literally means:

set the keynote

Actually means:

It means setting a basic direction in advance, so that the development of an event will stick to the expected course. This phrase is often related to some activities or events that concern one's interests.

事先规定事情进程的基本方向,以便引导事情朝着已经确定的目标的发展。多用于和某人利益相关的活动或事情。

Example

Used as predicate or object. It can be used with other words in between. (作谓语、宾语,中间可以插入别的词语)
1
jīng
已经
wéi
zhè
这次
zuò
合作
dìngxià
定下
le
diàozi
调子
  
,
zhè
jiùshì
就是
zhǐnéng
只能
chénggōng
成功
  
,
néng
shībài
失败
  

He has set the tone for this cooperation, that is, only success, not failure.

2
Zhè
这次
de
jìngxuǎn
竞选
shì
shìxiān
事先
ānpái
安排
hǎo
de
  
,
qiè
一切
huódòng
活动
dōu
méiyǒu
没有
yuè
chū
dìng
de
diàozi
调子
  

The campaign was pre-arranged, and none of the events came out of his tune.

3
Gōng
公司
jīnnián
今年
de
zhǎn
发展
wánquán
完全
yào
ànzhào
按照
lǎobǎn
老板
dìng
de
de
diàozi
调子
zǒu
  
,
měi
每个
mén
部门
dōu
yào
zuò
具体
de
huà
计划
  

The company's development this year should be in accordance with the boss's tone to go, each department to do a specific plan.