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

Around here things were getting too hot for us, so to speak.

From Literature

Only after readers have become invested in the characters—pot committed, so to speak—does Tolstoy stretch out the scenes and slow the action.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I was joining the Spike Lee universe, so to speak.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He has not been tested, so to speak.

From Literature

For theme parks, after all, can jump the shark, so to speak.

From Los Angeles Times