Definition of so to speak (or say) in English:

phrase

• Used to highlight the fact that one is describing something in an unusual or metaphorical way.

  ‘delving into the body's secrets, I looked death in the face, so to speak’

  More example sentences

  • ‘In the old times, women did have equal status, so to say.’
  • ‘But the natives, so to say, are getting restless.’
  • ‘The rest remain out of the loop, so to speak, and in all likelihood will continue to do so.’
  • ‘He wasn't at the forefront of the mayhem but everybody knew he had a hand in it, so to speak.’
  • ‘You write for a lot of different publications - do you have to put on a different head, so to speak, for each one?’
  • ‘But in the end we all ended up in the same boat so to speak, achieving but still trying.’
  • ‘It is the ultimate capitalist consumer product - a direct line, so to speak, to a captive market.’
  • ‘But it is only now that they are able to enjoy the fruits of their labour, so to speak.’
  • ‘And now they're fighting over their man, so to say.’
  • ‘The rabbit is out of the hat, so to speak, and no government, never mind a mere bookmaking company, can put it back in.’

  Synonyms

  so to speak, in a manner of speaking, in a way, in some way or other, to some extent, so to say

  View synonyms