Showing results for to that effect. Search instead for to+that+effect.

to that effect

Idioms

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.

Invoking this law requires a recommendation to that effect from the Commerce Department, which normally takes some time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Walker makes a jokey aside to that effect at the start of “Oedipus the King, Mama!”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

George was then courted by Birmingham band Duran Duran as a possible replacement for Andy Taylor, with headlines in the Sun newspaper to that effect, Mr Tracey said.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

Ogles sent a letter to that effect to Attorney General Pam Bondi before Trump himself weighed in, musing about having Mamdani arrested.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2025

“Perhaps you will sign this memorandum to that effect, then.”

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

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