in all but name

in all but name

In every way except for how someone or something is named or described. I schedule the roster, I order inventory, and I hire new staff—I'm really the manager in all but name. If you have kids and a mortgage together, you're pretty much married in all but name.
See also: all, but, name
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in all but name

existing in a particular state but not formally recognized as such.
1999 Chris Hulme Manslaughter United He had spent twenty-one out of twenty-five years in segregation (solitary confinement in all but name).
See also: all, but, name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in ˌall but ˈname

used to describe a situation which exists in reality but that is not officially recognized: He runs the company in all but name.
See also: all, but, name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • hire out
  • reflection
  • sad
  • a (kind of) reflection on (someone or something)
  • a sad, poor, etc. reflection on something
  • take inventory
  • hit man
  • staff up
  • for hire
  • hire