proverbial
adjective · nounB2Định nghĩa theo từ loại
Tính từ
adjective- 1.
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.
Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.
- 2.
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
The visit was a warning shot across our proverbial bow
- 3.
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.
Danh từ
noun- 1.
(euphemistic)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?
- 2.
(euphemistic, in plural)(euphemistic, in the plural) The groin or the testicles.
You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.
Từ liên quan
Cùng gốc / liên quan
Từ có viền nét liền là đã có mục từ; viền nét đứt là chưa có trong dữ liệu.
Nguồn gốc từ
From la prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + --ial