"So to speak" vs "As it were" [closed]

In many cases so to speak is a cousin to written quote marks (but not necessarily air quotes) signifying a usage that is in some way figurative . As it were is approximately, in a way, roughly speaking.

There are cases where either may be appropriate—when a word or phrase is being used with a meaning that is not quite canonical. Note that the Collins definition for as it were gives so to speak as a synonym, so the two expressions clearly overlap.

so to speak (idiom)

Idiom
Used to indicate that one is using words in an unusual or figurative way rather than a literal way m-w

Phrase
(also so to say)
Used to highlight the fact that one is describing something in an unusual or metaphorical way. Lexico

Delving into the body's secrets, I looked death in the face, so to speak. Lexico

as it were (phrase)

You say as it were in order to make what you are saying sound less definite.

[vagueness]
I'd understood the words, but I didn't, as it were, understand the question.

Synonyms: in a way, to some extent, so to speak, in a manner of speaking Collins

In a way (used to be less precise)

areas that have been, as it were, pushed aside Lexico