How do you use "So to Speak" in a sentence?

She's the boss, so to speak. We killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. He opened Pandora's box, so to speak. I'm in the doghouse, so to speak.

So to Speak

Q: What does "So to Speak" mean?

In a manner of speaking; figuratively Qualifies that the preceding phrase is figurative, metaphorical, or not entirely accurate. Signals the speaker is aware they're stretching language.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: In a manner of speaking; figuratively

可以说；比喻地说

Por así decirlo; figuradamente

いわば；比喩的に言えば

말하자면; 비유적으로 말하면

Qualifies that the preceding phrase is figurative, metaphorical, or not entirely accurate. Signals the speaker is aware they're stretching language.

表明前面的话是比喻性的、隐喻的或不完全准确的。表示说话者意识到自己在拉伸语言的用法。

Aclara que la frase anterior es figurativa, metafórica o no del todo precisa. Señala que el hablante es consciente de que está estirando el lenguaje.

前のフレーズが比喩的、暗喩的、または完全に正確ではないことを示す。話し手が言語を拡張して使っていることを自覚していることを示す。

앞에 한 말이 비유적이거나 은유적이거나 완전히 정확하지 않다는 것을 나타내는 표현. 화자가 언어를 확장해서 쓰고 있다는 것을 인식하고 있음을 알린다.

Examples

She's the boss, so to speak.
她可以说是老板。
Ella es la jefa, por así decirlo.
彼女がいわばボスだよ。
그녀가 말하자면 보스야.
We killed two birds with one stone, so to speak.
我们可以说是一石二鸟。
Matamos dos pájaros de un tiro, por así decirlo.
いわば一石二鳥だね。
말하자면 일석이조였어.
He opened Pandora's box, so to speak.
他可以说是打开了潘多拉的盒子。
Él abrió la caja de Pandora, por así decirlo.
彼はいわばパンドラの箱を開けた。
그는 말하자면 판도라의 상자를 열었어.
I'm in the doghouse, so to speak.
我可以说是在受罚了。
Estoy en la caseta del perro, por así decirlo.
いわば犬小屋にいる状態だよ。
나는 말하자면 찬밥 신세야.

Pronunciation

/səʊ tə spiːk/

Usage Guide

Context: qualifying, figurative language, idioms

Tone: qualifying, self-aware

✓ Do Say

So to speak.
可以说。
Por así decirlo.
いわば。
말하자면.
...so to speak.
…可以说。
...por así decirlo.
…いわば。
...말하자면.
If you will, so to speak.
如果你愿意的话，可以说。
Si se quiere, por así decirlo.
よければ、いわば。
그러니까, 말하자면.

✗ Don't Say

Can seem overly cautious
可能显得过于谨慎
Puede parecer excesivamente cauteloso
過度に慎重に見えることがある
지나치게 조심스러워 보일 수 있음
Sometimes unnecessary
有时不必要
A veces innecesario
時には不必要
때로는 불필요함

Common Mistakes

Signals awareness of figurative language
Sometimes redundant after obvious metaphors

Origin & History

Traditional qualifier acknowledging figurative or imprecise language. Protects against literal interpretation.

Etymology: Speaking so (in this figurative way)

First recorded: Traditional English

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common in formal and informal speech; Used in writing

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

So to speakAs it wereIf you will