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proverbial

[pruh-vur-bee-uhl] / prəˈvɜr bi əl /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Your Social Security is the icing on the proverbial retirement cake.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

As a result, the crisis "has thrown a proverbial wrench into the inner workings of the aviation fuel markets", the IEA said.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

In the comments section of Skylight’s post announcing the big news, the who’s who of L.A.’s literati popped the proverbial champagne.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The proverbial wheels of justice grind at an almost unbelievably rusty pace, leaving Nick facing the prospect of imminent death for 22 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

They floundered about in the wrong clothes with the incorrect haircut and speech patterns like the proverbial bull in a china shop.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin




Vocabulary lists containing proverbial


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