ugly duckling
1 of 1noun/ˈʌɡli ˈdʌklɪŋ/
Forms:ugly ducklings
1
an unattractive or unsuccessful person or thing that later turns attractive or successful
The phrase "Ugly duckling" comes from a classic children's story by Hans Christian Andersen called "The Ugly Duckling," in which a young bird grows into a beautiful swan. The idiom is often used to describe situations where someone or something undergoes a remarkable positive change.
- As a child, Jane was awkward and shy, but in her teenage years she blossomed into a beautiful young woman - a true "ugly duckling" story.
- The small, struggling startup was once dismissed as an "ugly duckling", but after securing major funding and hiring top talent it's now seen as a rising star in the industry.