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comparative more proverbial, superlative most proverbial
Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale. quotations examples
Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.
1947, Miracle on 34th Street (transcript)
Not used in a literal sense, but as the subject of a well-known metaphor. examples
Widely known; famous; stereotypical. examples
plural proverbials
(euphemistic) Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase. examples
(euphemistic, in the plural) The groin or the testicles. examples