Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
quote-unquote
idiomatic expression
ˈkwoʊt ʌnˈkwoʊt
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Definition
A phrase used to indicate that the speaker is repeating someone else’s words or indicating that a term is being used in a special or ironic way.
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Examples
- He said it was, quote-unquote, the best decision he ever made.
- She described the project as, quote-unquote, groundbreaking.
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Meaning
This expression is typically employed to signal that the following words are not the speaker’s own, or to highlight a term that might be colloquial or sarcastic.
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Synonyms
- So-called
- Supposedly
- In other words