FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES

for all intents and purposes: translation

Cliché seeming as if; looking as if. •

Tom stood there, looking, for all intents and purposes, as if he could strangle Sally, but, being the gentleman that he is, he just glowered.

•

Mary: Is the car washed now? John: For all intents and purposes, yes, but I didn't dry it yet.