“The Ugly Duckling”

Cultural  

1. A children's story, told by Hans Christian Andersen. One young bird in a family of ducks is constantly mocked by the other ducks for his ugliness. Eventually, though, he grows up to be a swan — the most beautiful of all birds.

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An “ugly duckling” is someone who blossoms beautifully after an unpromising beginning.

Example Sentences

It’s the ugly duckling — we know that story.

From New York Times

But that didn’t fully prepare him to renovate the “ugly duckling” first home he bought in 2010.

From Seattle Times

For the next hour, longer than she would be onstage, Joplin addressed the reasons behind the pain in her voice — her years as the ugly duckling who was treated as an outcast in high school — and how music was the one thing that she could count on.

From Los Angeles Times

The soaring demand for warehouses, once the ugly duckling of the real estate industry, underscores their pivotal role in a complex global supply chain.

From New York Times

“You know as well as I that it does make a difference with nearly everyone, so don’t ruffle up like a dear, motherly hen, when your chickens get pecked by smarter birds. The ugly duckling turned out a swan, you know.” and Amy smiled without bitterness, for she possessed a happy temper and hopeful spirit.

From Literature