so to speak

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

so to speak

The focus group, so to speak, had been found over a short period between 1984-85, usually near interstate highways.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

"I do believe there is a place to never want to kill the joy, so to speak," said McCullum.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026

“But Ramón always finds a way to ‘put the vitamins in the ice cream,’ so to speak.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

"I think that was weak, so to speak."

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

Like the carvings and stained-glass windows in European cathedrals, the art in San Lorenzo and other Olmec cities consisted mainly of powerful, recurring images—the crucifixions and virgins, so to speak, of ancient Mesoamerica.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann