This is what I see as the thesis of Cooperâs book, an idea he traces across continents and through four centuries, from Mathew Lewisâs Gothic novel The Monk (1796) to James Wanâs âtorture pornâ film Saw (2004).
The definition of proverbial is something well-known or commonly referred to. When someone always uses the same old excuse, over and over again until it becomes old news, this is an example of that person's proverbial excuse. 1  of, or having the nature of, a proverb.  expressed in a proverb.
The term literally, however, also can be used as hyperbole to mean the same as figuratively.. By its main definition, literally means that an expression or phrase is not exaggerated or embellished â it means exactly what the words suggest. The definition of figuratively is that the words are metaphoric â they are a figure of speech meant to convey something different from their literal meaning. Many words and phrases can be used both literally and figuratively.