proverbial

Definitions


[prəˈvəːbɪəl], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- (of a word or phrase) referred to in a proverb or idiom
(e.g: I'm going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin proverbialis, from proverbium (see proverb)


[prəˈvəːbɪəl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- used to stand for a word or phrase that is normally part of a proverb or idiom but is not actually uttered
(e.g: one word out of line, and the proverbial hits the fan)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin proverbialis, from proverbium (see proverb)




definition by Oxford Dictionaries