as a token of (something)
As a gift or offering signifying something. Take this bottle of wine as a token of my gratitude. The headmaster gave us each a plaque, as a token of her appreciation. As a token of congratulations on your wedding day, we at the Kensington Hotel would like to offer a free round of drinks for you and all your guests!
by the same token
1. Similarly. In the same manner. I'm not good at math and, by the same token, I struggle with scientific equations. A: "We could really use a better bass player. Chris just isn't cutting it anymore." B: "Well, by the same token, I've been thinking that Sue's voice isn't strong enough for some of the songs we play. Maybe we need to seriously reconsider who is in the band." In an attempt to retain employees, the company plans to offer more vacation time. By the same token, they have announced that they will be implementing paid parental leave, effective immediately.
2. Because of the same causes or the same reasons as what was previously stated. When crime increases, house prices plummet by the same token. Any time I stop getting restful sleep, my feelings of anxiety worsen by the same token. Keep lying to your parents, and just watch your guilt worsen by the same token.
in token of (something)
In a show of something; as a symbol of something. In token of our appreciation, we present you with this medal. Nana told me she was giving me her locket in token of her affection for me. Please accept this check as a token of our gratitude.
token gesture
A mostly perfunctory or symbolic action that generally is of little importance or consequence. I know that the $200 they gave me at the end of my three-month internship was just a token gesture, but I really needed the money by that point! I've always thought that simply signing your name on a birthday card is little more than a token gesture.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
as a token (of something)
symbolic of something, especially of gratitude; as a memento of something. He gave me a rose as a token of his esteem. Here, take this gift as a token of my appreciation.
by the same token
Cliché a phrase indicating that the speaker is introducing parallel or closely contrasting information. Tom: I really got cheated! Bob: You think they've cheated you, but, by the same token, they believe that you've cheated them. Some say he is a real charmer, but by the same token others are put off by his manner.
token gesture
an action or a decision that is so small or inconsequential as to be only symbolic. Offering to pay for my dinner was only a token gesture. That does little to make up for my inconvenience.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
by the same token
1. In the same way, for the same reason. For example, He has a good ear for music, and by the same token he finds it easy to pronounce foreign words . This phrase today is used in a general way to connect statements that have some logical association with one another. [Mid-1400s]
2. As a corroborating circumstance, as in Boston's population has grown very fast, and by the same token its urban problems have also increased . [Late 1800s]
in token of
As a sign or symbol of, as in He gave her a ring in token of his love, or In token of our esteem, we dedicate this hospital wing to Dr. Lurie. [Early 1500s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by the same token
You use by the same token to introduce a statement that you think is true for the same reasons that were given for a previous statement. If you give up exercise, your muscles shrink and fat increases. By the same token, if you expend more energy you will lose fat.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
by the same token
in the same way; for the same reason. 1975 Frederick Exley Pages from a Cold Island The student could ask anything he chose, and by the same token Wilson could if he elected choose not to answer.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
by the ˌsame ˈtoken
for the same reasons: The penalty for failure will be high. But, by the same token, the rewards for success will be great.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
by the same token
In like manner; similarly.
in token of
As an indication of: a ring given in token of love.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by the same token
In the same manner; moreover, for the same reason. A “token” is a sign or symbol of something, a meaning dating from the fifteenth century, and until 1600 or so “by the same token” meant “on the same grounds,” or “for the same reason.” After 1600, however, it came to mean “the proof of this being,” that is, introducing a corroborating fact or circumstance. Thus Dickens wrote in 1857, “Others caused large Fires to be made . . .; by the same token that two or three were pleased to set their houses on Fire and so effectually sweetened them by burning them down to the Ground.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer