shall we say
To put diplomatically
Shall we say is a phrase that signals the speaker is choosing words carefully, often to be tactful or euphemistic: He was, shall we say, not entirely sober.
It invites the listener to accept an approximate or diplomatic characterization rather than a blunter one.
Sometimes used with gentle irony when the careful phrasing is itself revealing.
- as it wereQualifier for imprecision
- so to speakPhrase signaling loose usage
- in a manner of speakingExpressing approximate truth
- relatedlyIn connected fashion
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
polite fiction · coded language · nudge nudge · parenthetically · hesitation · suggest · tentative · hint · could · might · suppose · if you will · implied meaning · you know · excuse me · smile · perhaps · kind of
shall we sayto be frank
Speaking without concealment
straight up · in no uncertain terms · flat out · point blank · unvarnished
shall we sayprecisely
In an exact manner
exactly · definitively · categorically · unequivocally · without question
shall, say, shalt, says, saying, sayer, naysay, hearsay, soothsayer