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Proverbial vs Cliche - What's the difference?

proverbial | cliche |

As nouns the difference between proverbial and cliche

is that proverbial is (euphemistic) used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase while cliche is (overused phrase or expression).

As an adjective proverbial

is of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.

proverbial

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.
  • * 1947 , ( transcript):
    • Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.
  • 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.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (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.
  • (euphemistic) The groin or the testicles.

    • cliche

    English

    Alternative forms

    * cliche

    Noun

    (wikipedia cliché) (en noun)
  • Something, most often a phrase or expression, that is overused or used outside its original context, so that its original impact and meaning are lost. A trite saying; a platitude.
    • The villain kidnapping the love interest in a film is a bit of a cliché .
  • (printing) A stereotype (printing plate).

    • Usage notes

    * The alternative spelling .)

    Synonyms

    * platitude * stereotype * See also

    Derived terms

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----