proverbial, the, adj. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

proverbial, the adj.

also a proverbial

archetypal, typical, e.g. the proverbial lovelorn lad.

1919		Aussie (France) XII Mar. 4/1: He had just left the Pay Office at Horseferry Road where he had come a proverbial.
1955		N. Pulliam I Travelled a Lonely Land (1957) 237/2: proverbial – downfall or serious mistake.
1968		S. Gore Holy Smoke 80: They come the proverbial.
1972		A. Chipper Aussie Swearers Guide 64: A lot of Aussie sportsmen have become very adept at this form of psyching (upsetting) opponents in order to make them come the proverbial (meet unsweet defeat).
1989		C. Hiaasen Skin Tight 161: The proverbial doo-doo was getting ready to hit the proverbial fan.
2001		N. Barlay Hooky Gear 20: Take the proverbial P.
2007		S. Maloney Sucked In 139: The Curtin was an institution [...] and it drew thirsty union officials like flies to the proverbial.