What Does "Ugly Duckling" Mean?
"Ugly duckling" is an English idiom. It means "a person or thing that appears awkward or unattractive in its current state but grows or develops into something beautiful or admirable." It originates from the fairy tale 'the ugly duckling' by Hans Christian Andersen.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "ugly duckling" used in a sentence:- She was an ugly duckling as a child, but now she's a successful model.
- That old building was an ugly duckling, but after renovation, it's the gem of the neighbourhood.
- Every ugly duckling has the potential to become a swan.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Ugly Duckling" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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