as\ it\ were

as\ it\ were
adv. phr.
As it might be said to be; as if it really were; seemingly. - Used with a statement that might seem silly or unreasonable, to show that it is just a way of saying it.

In many ways children live, as it were, in a different world from adults.

The sunlight on the icy branches made, as it were, delicate lacy cobwebs from tree to tree.

Compare: so to speak

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

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  • Were — (w[ e]r; 277). [AS. w[=ae]re (thou) wast, w[=ae]ron (we, you, they) were, w[=ae]re imp. subj. See {Was}.] The imperfect indicative plural, and imperfect subjunctive singular and plural, of the verb be. See {Be}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Were — (w[=e]r), n. [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth. wa[ i]r, L. vir, Skr. v[=i]ra. Cf. {Weregild}, and {Werewolf}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A man. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man s life; weregild. [Obs …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Were — Were, v. t. & i. To wear. See 3d {Wear}. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Were — Were, n. A weir. See {Weir}. [Obs.] Chaucer. Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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