Familiar saying is a term used to describe a saying or PHRASE that is well-known and often repeated. An ADAGE is a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth, while a SAW is an old saying or proverb that has been around for a long time. A PHRASE is a group of words that express a concept and is often used in everyday language. An old SAW is an old saying or proverb that has been around for a long time and is still used today.