From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishproverbialpro‧ver‧bi‧al /prəˈvɜːbiəl $ -ɜːr-/ adjective 1 → the proverbial something2 SLSAYINGrelating to a proverb a proverbial expression3 SAYINGwell known by a lot of people His modesty is proverbial. —proverbially adverb
Examples from the Corpus
proverbial• The result was a level of corruption which became proverbial.• From an easygoing girl she had metamorphosed into some one who wanted the proverbial all-or-nothing relationship.• Santorini is about as stable as the proverbial blancmange.• They speak an extraordinarily complex language rich in vocabulary, idiom, and proverbial expression.• Today, South Park offers a self-fulfilling buzz, a spot with that proverbial Left Bank feel about it.• Naturally, there is the proverbial robin - well, robins to be precise.• Ah, yes: The proverbial three-hour tour.• It was as if the strength of the sea had turned to the proverbial water.proverbial expression• They speak an extraordinarily complex language rich in vocabulary, idiom, and proverbial expression. 