As it were, use a needle cryptically? (2,2,5)

I believe the answer is:

so to speak

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'as it were' is the definition.
(synonyms)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for so to speak that I've seen before include "If one may use that expression" , "In a way" , "as one might say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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