so to speak Definition

so¹
adverb

1. To such an extent.

Example: so expensive that nobody buys it
2. To this, that, or the same extent; as.

Example: This one is lovely, but that one is not so nice
3. Extremely

Example: She is so talented!
4. In that state or condition.

Example: promised to be faithful, and has remained so
5. Also; likewise.

Example: She's my friend and so are you
6. Used to avoid repeating a previous statement.

Example: You've to take your medicine because I said so

conj

1. Therefore; thereafter.

Example: He insulted me, so I hit him
2. In order that ....

Example: Lend me the book, so that I can read it
Example: Give me more time so I can finish it
Form: so that … (also)

adj

1. The case; true.

Example: You think I'm mad, but it's not so

exclamation

1. Used to express discovery

Example: So, that's what you've been doing!

Idiom: and so on (and so forth, and so on and so forth)

And more of the same; continuing in the same way.

Idiom: just so

Neatly, precisely or perfectly.
Example: with her hair arranged just so

Idiom: or so

Approximately.
Example: five or so days ago

Idiom: quite so

Exactly right; just as you have said.

Idiom: so as to ...

In order to ...; in such a way as to ....

Idiom: so be it

Used to express acceptance or defiant resignation.

Idiom: so far

To that, or to such an, extent or degree.
Example: I haven't managed to do any work so far
Thesaurus: thus far, until now, up to this point.

Idiom: so far so good

Everything is fine up to this point.

Idiom: so much (so many)

Such a lot
Example: so much work to do!

Just; mere.
Example: politicians squabbling like so many children

Idiom: so much for ...

Nothing has come of ...; that has disposed of or ruined ...
Example: So much for all our plans!

Idiom: so much so

To such an extent (that).

Idiom: so so

Moderate; average.
Example: How are you feeling? Oh, so so

Idiom: so to speak (so to say)

Used as an apology for an unfamiliar or slightly inappropriate expression.

Idiom: so what?

colloq
That is of no importance or consequence at all.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon swa.

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speak
verb spoke, spake, spoken, speaking

old use:
tr & intr
1a. To utter words in an ordinary voice, as opposed to shouting, singing, screaming, etc;

Thesaurus: express, utter, voice, vocalize, pronounce, say, enunciate, articulate.
tr & intr
1b. To talk.

Example: speaks a load of rubbish
intr
2. To have a conversation.

Example: We speak on the phone every night
Thesaurus: talk, converse, chat.
intr
3. To deliver a speech.

Example: spoke on the subject of rising urban crime
Thesaurus: lecture, preach, expound, sermonize, orate.
4. To communicate, or be able to communicate, in (a particular language).

Example: He speaks French fluently
intr
5. To convey meaning.

Example: Actions speak louder than words

combining form

1. Talk or jargon of the specified kind.

Example: consultantspeak
Example: luvviespeak
Example: doublespeak

Derivative: speakable
adj

Idiom: be on speaking terms

See under speaking.

Idiom: so to speak

In a way; as it were.
Example: had a bit of a tiff, so to speak
Thesaurus: that is to say, as the saying goes, in a manner of speaking.

Idiom: speak for itself

To have an obvious meaning; to need no further explanation or comment.
Thesaurus: be self-evident, be obvious.

Idiom: speak for oneself

To give one's own opinion or opinions.

To exclude others from what one is saying, referring to, etc.

Idiom: speak for yourself

An expression that is used by someone who wants to be disassociated from what has just been said or from the implications of it.
Example: Speak for yourself! I'm not going into that dive

Idiom: speak one's mind

To say what one thinks boldly, defiantly, without restraint, etc.

Idiom: speak ill of someone or something

To criticize them or it; to blacken their or its name.
Example: Don't speak ill of the dead

Idiom: speak the same language

See under language.

Idiom: speak the truth

To tell no lies.

Idiom: speak volumes

To be or act as a significant factor.
Example: The fact that he lied speaks volumes

Idiom: to speak of

Note: usually with negatives
Worth mentioning, considering, etc.
Example: received no education to speak of

Idiom: speak well of someone or something (speak highly of someone or something)

To admire them or it.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon specan.

Phrasal Verb: speak about something

To discuss it.To put it forward, or think of it as a possibility, often without any further action, etc being taken.
Example: had often spoken about working abroad

Phrasal Verb: speak about someone or something

To gossip about them.

Phrasal Verb: speak for

To give an opinion on behalf of (another or others).To articulate in either spoken or written words the commonly held feelings, beliefs, views, opinions, etc of (others).
Example: Kurt Cobain's lyrics speak for the twentysomethings

Phrasal Verb: speak of someone or something

To make mention of or refer to them or it, especially casually, tentatively, etc
Example: spoke of going to London for a few days.
To explore or discuss, eg in a piece of writing or other non-verbal medium.
Example: Heaney's poetry often speaks of the insecurities the poet goes through

Phrasal Verb: speak out

To speak openly; to state one's views forcefully.To speak more loudly.

Phrasal Verb: speak to someone

To have a conversation with them.To reprimand them.To be meaningful to them.
Example: That painting really speaks to me

Phrasal Verb: speak up

To speak more loudly.To make something known.
Example: If you've any objections, speak up now

Phrasal Verb: speak up for someone or something

To vouch for or defend them or it.To represent them or it.

Phrasal Verb: speak with someone

To talk to them.