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in a manner of speaking

idiom

Definition of in a manner of speaking

—used to say that a statement is true or accurate in a certain way even if it is not literally or completely true
  • His retirement was, in a manner of speaking, the beginning of his real career.
  • After the storm destroyed their house, they were, in a manner of speaking, lost at sea.

Word by Word Definitions

manner play

  1. : a characteristic or customary mode of acting : custom

  2. : a mode of procedure or way of acting : fashion

  3. : method of artistic execution (see execution 1) or mode of presentation : style

See the full definition of manner
speaking play

  1. : that speaks : capable of speech

  2. : having a population that speaks a specified language

  3. : that involves talking or giving speeches

See the full definition of speaking

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