that's as may be

English

Phrase

that's as may be

  1. (chiefly British, followed by "but") Even if that is the case; acknowledging another's point before introducing a more pertinent one.
    They claimed they were following procedure. That's as may be, but it was still wrong given the circumstances.
    • 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Silver’s Embassy”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part IV (The Stockade), page 162:
      “Well, here it is,” said Silver. “We want that treasure, and we’ll have it—that’s our point! You would just as soon save your lives, I reckon; and that’s yours. You have a chart, haven’t you?”
      “That’s as may be,” replied the captain.
    • 1999 February 24, Polly Toynbee, “How I stopped worrying and learnt to love racial awareness training”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian‎[1], London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 23 November 2016:
      That's as may be, some managers replied, but they protested vigorously that the BBC had the fairest system of appointment boards for every job and promotion, attended by the personnel department to prevent an inside fix.

References

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