proverbial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   widely known and spoken of

   The proverbial lateness of the students annoyed the teachers.

2. 2
   adj

   of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb

   They kicked the proverbial bucket.

3. 3
   adj

   Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.

   The busyness of a beaver is proverbial.

4. 4
   adj

   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

5. 5
   adj

   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.

6. 6
   noun

   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.

7. 7
   noun

   The groin or the testicles.

   You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.

Etymology

From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial