So to speak

You use so to speak to draw attention to the fact that you are describing or referring to something in a way that may be amusing or unusual rather than completely accurate.

I ought not to tell you but I will, since you’re in the family, so to speak.

so to speak

A phrase used to indicate that what one has just said is an uncommon, metaphorical, or original way of saying something. Similar to the phrases “if you will” and “in a manner of speaking.” He was a fixer, so to speak—a man who could get things done. This arrangement will allow us to eliminate our debt and get back to solid ground, so to speak.

Used after sentences to express that there is a metaphor in it. It can be generally interchanged with like-clause:

It is X, so to speak.
It is like X.