Byword (Noun)
Meaning
A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- Honesty is the best policy has become a byword in many cultures for the most effective way to conduct business and personal relationships.
- The phrase where there's smoke, there's fire has been a byword for centuries to describe the idea that suspicion often hints at underlying truth.
- All's fair in love and war is a byword that has been used to justify questionable behavior in situations where people believe the stakes are high.
- Look before you leap has been a byword for generations, cautioning individuals to carefully consider their actions before making a decision.
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush is a byword that reminds people that having something that is certain and valuable is often more important than the possibility of getting more.