言いってみれば

expression

in a manner of speaking; so to speak; as it were

Used to soften a statement or introduce a metaphorical or approximate description. Often inserted parenthetically.

• 彼かれは、言いってみれば、このプロジェクトの心しん臓ぞう部ぶだ。

  He is, so to speak, the heart of this project.

• 言いってみれば、人じん生せいは長ながい旅たびのようなものだ。

  In a manner of speaking, life is like a long journey.