in name only
9
6.1
- idiom
:
solo en nombre
- That's what you get when you accept an out-of-nowhere, no track record, Democrat in name only.
- exists in name only
Like you were a president in name only, right.
- Like you were a president in name only, right.
- Someone did today that we, you know, we the United States at this point in his view is a democracy in name only.
Examples
-
I teach in a Catholic school, and I can assure you it is that in name only.
Blog text (10) -
Though she is your wife, she is yours in name only.
-
It's a marriage in name only.
-
A group home is a home in name only, babe.
-
The next president is likely to be a Democrat in name only.
Blog text (18) -
If judges do not follow the laws made by the elected branches of government, democracy exists in name only.
Academic text (1993) -
When instructional time is reduced to thirty minutes a week or less, a program exists in name only.
Academic text (1995) -
In other words, Joe Manchin is, as some people say, a Democrat in name only or a Dino.
-
Because of agricultural pollution, several wildlife refuges are refuges in name only—Kesterson, Stillwater, and others have experienced major bird kills.
Academic text (1990) -
Though she is your wife, she is in name only.
Synonyms
673
5.0
Showing doubt about a name or title
13
6.7
In name only, not in reality
5
6.5
Having a title but not the real power or responsibilities
4
7.6
Having a position or right only in name with no real power
Antonyms
How Real
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'has the title but not the real qualities or power' is directly inferable from combining 'in' (indicating a status or position), 'name' (title/label), and 'only' (restricting scope to that aspect). This compositional reading — essentially 'only by name' or 'nominally' — is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to understand it.
Etymology
In name only comes from the image of someone or a group that exists only on paper: they have a name or 'title' but no real duties, power or presence. That's why it means 'having the title but not the real power or role'.