お世辞にもうまいとは言えない

おせじにもうまいとはいえない

With the best will in the world, you can't say that it's good

元はと言えば

もとはといえば

when it comes to the cause; when you get right down to it; as for what started it; as for the reason; originally

と言えば

といえば

speaking of

と言えど

といえど

be (that) as it may, having said that

と言うことは

ということは

that is to say, so that means

寝言は寝て言え

ねごとはねていえ

don't talk nonsense; sleep talk after you go to sleep

えも言はず

えもいわず

inexplicably, unexplainably

と言うのは

というのは

means, is

と言うものは

というものは

that is to say; so that means

例えて言うと

たとえていうと

figuratively speaking, metaphorically speaking, so to speak, to use a figure of speech

右と言えば左

みぎといえばひだり

always contradicting what other people say

鑿と言えば槌

のみといえばつち

one should do more than what is literally being asked for; when told (to bring) the chisel, (also bring) the mallet

ツーと言えばカー

ツーといえばカー

quick to take a hint; very responsive; quick on the uptake

何かと言えば

なにかといえば

on the least pretext, at the drop of a hat

と言うことはない

ということはない

it is not possible (to, that), there is no such thing as

寝言は寝てから言え

ねごとはねてからいえ

don't talk nonsense, sleep talk after you go to sleep

と言うと

というと

if one were to speak of..., then certainly, if it were the case that..., then certainly, if it were a..., then certainly, phrase used to indicate the inevitability of what follows it (based on what precedes it)

言える

いえる

to be possible to say, to be able to say

言えば

いえば

speaking of