in a fashion

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1. To some extent but crudely, imperfectly, or not very well. (This phrase has largely been replaced with the phrase "after a fashion," meaning the same.) Well, I mended your pants, in a fashion. They may not look great, but at least there isn't a hole anymore! Tom fixed the car, in a fashion, so it's running again but still makes that terrible noise. A: "He told me he repaired the hole, but it turns out he only put a framed picture over it." B: "Ah, so he 'repaired' the hole in a fashion."

2. Of a lower caliber, order, or class. (This phrase has largely been replaced with the phrase "after a fashion," meaning the same.) He might think highly of himself, but he's only a writer in a fashion if you ask me. A: "Any chance you could help me with this?" B: "Yeah, as long as you know that I'm no great photographer. I can take a picture in a fashion, but that's about it." I can ride a motorcycle, in a fashion. I wouldn't ride one on a busy highway, though!