proverbial fan

USAGE SUMMARY

"proverbial fan" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to someone who is an enthusiastic supporter of a particular cause, person, or group. For example: "She has been a proverbial fan of the band ever since their first album release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Shit hit the proverbial fan.

Vice

The brown stuff hitting the proverbial fan in Iran has meant images of riot police all over the media last week, proving yet again how cool they look.

Vice

And if the shit truly does hit the proverbial fan, let's start our own nation and put Michelle and Bernie in charge.

Huffington Post

The proverbial crap is about to hit the proverbial fan with the massive state and federal campaigns run by Verizon and AT&T.

Huffington Post

Simply put, a majority of American workers are learning more and earning less, victims of a wage depression well underway before the current financial crises hit the proverbial fan.

Huffington Post

So, here we are, my husband and I, in this fantastic five-star jungle resort in Bali, ready to learn everything we can about how to become more intimate with each other, when the sh*t, my sh*t, hits the proverbial fan.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

For the big game, I am going to be the proverbial homebody, Joe fan, a Giants fan, come to think of it, after those shameless performances by the Baltimore coach, Brian Billick, and his hell-bent linebacker, Ray Lewis.

The New York Times - Sports

"Then the proverbial hit the fan," he says in his soft accent.

The Guardian

No sooner had a 30-second sample of the song landed on Apple's download store, than the proverbial hit the fan.

The Guardian - Music

But it's these friends you assume will be there when the proverbial hits the fan.

HuffPost

Does this mean that we just have to do this now?'" But they've since branched out and the proverbial's hit the fan.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proverbial fan" to describe someone who consistently and enthusiastically supports a particular person, group, or idea. It adds a touch of traditional wisdom to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "proverbial fan" when a more direct term like "supporter" or "enthusiast" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound affected or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proverbial fan" functions as a noun phrase, where "proverbial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "fan". It's used to describe someone who is a long-standing and well-known supporter of something, as Ludwig's examples show.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Huffington Post

10%

Forbes

10%

Less common in

TechCrunch

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proverbial fan" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe someone with a long-standing and well-known enthusiasm. Ludwig's examples reveal its presence mainly in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, it adds a touch of traditional wisdom. Be mindful of overusing it to avoid sounding affected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Alternatives like "ardent supporter" or "devoted follower" can be employed for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ardent supporter

Emphasizes strong enthusiasm and dedication.

devoted follower

Highlights loyalty and adherence.

staunch advocate

Implies active support and defense of a cause or person.

enthusiastic admirer

Focuses on positive feelings and appreciation.

dedicated enthusiast

Combines dedication with passion.

loyal devotee

Stresses unwavering commitment.

avid follower

Focuses on the enthusiasm with which someone follows a trend, person or team.

fervent champion

Suggests passionate advocacy.

zealous partisan

Indicates intense and sometimes biased support.

rabid enthusiast

Implies extreme enthusiasm, potentially to an excessive degree.

FAQs

How can I use "proverbial fan" in a sentence?

You can use "proverbial fan" to describe someone with a traditional and well-known enthusiasm for something. For example, "She's been a "proverbial fan" of classical music since childhood."

What are some alternatives to using "proverbial fan"?

Alternatives include "ardent supporter", "devoted follower", or simply "enthusiast", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "proverbial fan" a formal or informal expression?

"Proverbial fan" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal tone. It's suitable for news articles and general writing, but might be less appropriate in very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "proverbial fan" and "casual fan"?

A "proverbial fan" suggests a long-standing, well-known enthusiasm, while a "casual fan" implies a more passing or less intense interest. The former carries a connotation of traditional support, whereas the latter suggests a lighter commitment.