From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishin a manner of speakingin a manner of speakingWAY/MANNERin some ways, though not exactly ‘Are you his girlfriend?’ Nicola asked. ‘In a manner of speaking.’ → manner
Examples from the Corpus
in a manner of speaking• The illustrations make dinosaurs come alive, in a manner of speaking.• The stolen flowers had been, in a manner of speaking, restored.• For all men are eggs, in a manner of speaking.• And he is faithful to her in a manner of speaking.• Well, in a manner of speaking. 