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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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s speech to that effect was an eloquent defense of American values.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

It would primarily be about transgender athletes in sports or something to that effect.

From Slate • Jul. 26, 2025

His remarks to that effect came during a Monday morning all-hands meeting, per a report from Reuters.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

He even wrote a paper to that effect.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.