to that effect

Idioms  

1. With that basic or general meaning, as in He said he was very worried, or words to that effect. This term is also put as to the effect that when introducing a clause, as in She was a little vague but said something to the effect that she'd repay the loan very soon. [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

to that effect

In both cases, immigration officials said Contreras and Estrada were deported because they had orders to that effect pending from when they were much younger.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

From the stage, O’Brien took a light jab at Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos to that effect.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 16, 2026

An earlier task force suggestion to that effect was discussed by the board but went unheeded, he charges.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2025

"I'll sign a piece of paper to that effect right here in the studio," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2025

Tateh threw a counter and some shelves in there, an old cash register, tacked up a sign outside that said “Shilsky’s Grocery Store” or something to that effect, and we were in business.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride