for all intents and purposes

used for saying that something has the same effect as another thing

The idiom "for all intents and purposes" traces its roots to the 17th century, specifically appearing in a legal document dated 1647. It is believed to have stemmed from the legal concept of intent, which refers to the intention to perform an action. The phrase gained widespread usage over time, evolving from its legal context to encompass a broader meaning of "essentially" or "in effect."

The company's financial troubles had rendered it defunct, for all intents and purposes.
Despite being separated, the couple continued to live together and share expenses, functioning for all intents and purposes as a married couple.
The vacant building, with its boarded-up windows and dilapidated exterior, was for all intents and purposes abandoned.
The new software's user-friendly interface made it accessible to even the most novice computer users, making it for all intents and purposes indispensable.
The secluded island, devoid of modern amenities and infrastructure, remained for all intents and purposes untouched by the passage of time.