proverbial

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.

The trade would feature prominently in American advertising for decades to come, as did pitches for often-dubious cures known as patent medicine—the proverbial snake oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“Investors clearly are looking through the proverbial valley, and why not, since the president stated that he thinks we could have a deal by the end of the week,” Rosenberg writes.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

So you can understand, if not necessarily agree with, their reluctance to drop out and call it a day, in the hope that, just maybe, that proverbial bolt of lightning will strike.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“The scale is too much. There’s too much risk for any company … to put all of their proverbial eggs in one basket.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

In Mqhekezweni, I felt not unlike the proverbial country boy who comes to the big city.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela