in effect

Idioms  

1. For all practical purposes, as in This testimony in effect contradicted her earlier statement . [Late 1500s]

2. In or into operation, as in This law will be in effect in January . Related phrases include go into effect and take effect , which mean “become operative,” as in This law goes into effect January 1 , or It takes effect January 1 . Similarly, put into effect means “make operative,” as in When will the judge's ruling be put into effect? [Late 1700s] Also see in force , def. 2.

---

Example Sentences

The former Treasury secretary and Harvard president was, in effect, making the charismatic young radical — a newly-minted official in Greece’s left-wing government — an offer of the sort you’re not supposed to refuse.

From Salon

It would be interesting to see how the £100m that was spent on new players over the summer has, in effect, bettered the team.

From BBC

"It is also almost certain that I can no longer publish or produce any new work within the UK while this proscription remains in effect."

From BBC

This facilitates a process called autophagy, which occurs routinely in our cells: Damaged or unnecessary proteins are wrapped up in small membrane vesicles and safely degraded with enzymes - a natural recycling process, in effect.

From Science Daily

Though the moratorium remains in effect, more changes to the prevailing legislative thinking on staircases could be coming soon.

From Los Angeles Times