to all intents and purposes

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Idioms and Phrases

Also, for all intents and purposes ; for all practical purposes . In every practical sense, virtually. For example, For all intents and purposes the case is closed , or For all practical purposes the Vice-President is the chief executive while the President is in the hospital . The first phrase, dating from the 1500s, originated in English law, where it was to all intents, constructions, and purposes . A shorter synonym is in effect , def. 1.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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