so to speak

Idioms and Phrases

Phrased like this, in a manner of speaking, as in He was, so to speak, the head of the family, although he was only related by marriage to most of the family members . This term originally meant “in the vernacular” or “lower-class language” and was used as an aristocrat's apology for stooping to such use. [Early 1800s] Also see as it were .

Example Sentences

“It was his escape — he is literally the person who undid the ribbon, so to speak,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

What Hallmark has expressed interest in is widening the net, so to speak, of “what are other stories we can incorporate.”

From Los Angeles Times

The simple act of recognizing that forces outside our control affect our mental health, which can help individuals understand that they aren’t “to blame,” so to speak, for their mental health struggles, says Eisenberg-Guyot.

From Salon

"When I found out it was literally somebody down the road, so to speak... that was just incredible," said Alison, who is now cancer-free.

From BBC

But now I understand he was just keeping in shape, so to speak.

From Salon