proverbial

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.

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

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.

Mr. Obama has presented himself as a fresh face, unsteeped in Washington and the proverbial “politics as usual.”

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?

The groin or the testicles.

You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.