English Phrase of the Day

so to speak

Definitions

English > English
so to speak
1. adv. in a manner of speaking, In a manner of speaking.
Analysis
So
1. n. A Mon-Khmer-speaking people of Laos and Thailand.
2. conj. In order that.
Eat your broccoli so you can have dessert.
3. conj. With the result that; for that reason; therefore.
I was hungry so I asked if there was any more food.
to
1. part. A particle used for marking the following verb as an infinitive.
I want to leave.
He asked me what to do.
I don’t know how to say it.
I have places to go and people to see.
speak
1. v. (intransitive) To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.
I was so surprised I couldn't speak.
You're speaking too fast.
2. v. (intransitive) To have a conversation.
It's been ages since we've spoken.

I don't put in, I don't put out, so to speak.

My mother had two litters, so to speak.

The baby cobras are, so to speak, the spitting image of their parents, and packed with projectile venom.

Make a clean breast of it, so to speak.

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