so to speak
C2 used to explain that what you are saying is not to be understood exactly as stated:
In that relationship it's very much Lorna who wears the trousers, so to speak (= Lorna makes all the important decisions).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Figurative use of language
- a metaphor for sth idiom
- allegory
- anthropomorphism
- as
- as it were idiom
- fig
- figurative
- figuratively
- idiom
- imagery
- ironic
- irony
- metaphor
- metaphorical
- metonymy
- mix
- mixed metaphor
- pathetic fallacy
- speak
- symbol
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