a kind of (something)

a kind of (something)

A replacement or alternative to (the real thing). I had to use the block of wood as a kind of hammer to get the loose nail back into place.
See also: kind, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a kind of something

a variety of something that is fairly close to the real thing, even though it is not exactly the real thing. I used a folded newspaper as a kind of hat to keep the rain off. Bill is serving as a kind of helper or assistant on this project.
See also: kind, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a kind of
  • in kind
  • of the same kind
  • (that's) easy for (one) to say
  • That's easy for you to say
  • be one of a kind
  • pay (one) back in kind
  • one of a kind
  • kind of
  • kind of/sort of