proverbial

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Pronunciation: /pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/

Etymology: From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
“The busyness of a beaver is proverbial.”
“The beaver in this instance upheld the reputation of the proverbial one: her output was prodigious.”
Optionally placed before an element of a well-known proverb or metaphor to emphasize that the element is not being used in a literal sense (see Usage notes below)
“the proverbial smoking gun”
“the proverbial spilled milk”
Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
“I grew up in a prefab house on Main Street in 1950s suburbia, the second and last child of a proverbial nuclear family.”
“Mr. Obama has presented himself as a fresh face, unsteeped in Washington and the proverbial “politics as usual.””

Etymology: From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
“I think we should be prepared in case the proverbial hits the fan.”
“Are you taking the proverbial?”
The groin or the testicles.
“You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.”