When it comes to expressing a similar idea in different words, there are several phrases you can use instead of "in other words." For instance, you can say "to put it differently," "in layman's terms," "in simpler words," or "that is to say." All of these phrases serve as synonyms for "in other words" and can add variety to your writing or speech. Additionally, you can use "what I mean is," "to rephrase," or "to clarify" to convey the same concept of restating something in a different way. Remember, using synonyms for common phrases like "in other words" can make your writing more interesting and engaging for your readers.