Idiom idiom
in effect
Meaning
you use this to say what the real result or meaning of a situation is, even if it is not official.
Examples
“The new rule is in effect starting today.”
“Although the manager did not fire him, the new schedule was in effect a way to make him quit.”
“The treaty was never officially signed, but in effect, the two nations maintained a peaceful border for over a decade.”
Last updated April 22, 2026