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Metaphorical vs Proverbial - What's the difference?

metaphorical | proverbial |

As adjectives the difference between metaphorical and proverbial

is that metaphorical is pertaining to or characterized by a metaphor; figurative; symbolic while proverbial is of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.

As a noun proverbial is

used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.

metaphorical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Pertaining to or characterized by a metaphor; figurative; symbolic.

    • 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.