in a manner of speaking
Not quite literally
In a manner of speaking signals that what you've said is true only loosely or figuratively—not literally accurate but close enough to make a point: He's my boss, in a manner of speaking, though technically we're equals.
The phrase hedges a claim, acknowledging that the words chosen aren't quite right but serve well enough.
- roughlyIn approximate terms
- looselyWithout being tight
- as it wereQualifier for imprecision
- in other wordsRestating for clarity
- kind ofApproximately, loosely speaking
sort of · generally · somewhat · conversationally · indirectly · if you will · elliptically · euphemism · personification · to put it another way · in a word · almost · approximately · nearly · allegory · about · rhetorically · metaphor
in a manner of speakingliterally
In exact terms
word for word · to the letter · strictly speaking · in every sense of the word · precisely
in a manner of speakingprecisely
In an exact manner
exactly · accurately · in point of fact · as a matter of fact · unequivocally
in a manner of speakingwithout question
Beyond any doubt
unequivocally · categorically · absolutely · definitively · indisputably
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