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

"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

Moreover, the local Department of Motor Vehicles is the logical body to collect these new user fees, since all vehicle owners are already DMV customers so to speak.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

This group will help the government look around corners, so to speak, and help the U.S. stay ahead of the risks associated with high-volume capital flows from foreign investors into pioneering technology.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

He didn’t mind what his boys did to the town, bui now he saw his business going down the drain, so to speak.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck