みにくいアヒルの子こ

expression, noun

ugly duckling

Idiomatic expression referring to a person or thing that initially seems unattractive or unpromising but later develops into something beautiful or successful. Originates from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

• 彼かの女じょは子こ供どもの頃ころはみにくいアヒルの子こだったが、今いまでは有ゆう名めいなモデルだ。

  She was an ugly duckling as a child, but now she's a famous model.

• この会かい社しゃはみにくいアヒルの子こから業ぎょう界かいのリーダーに成せい長ちょうした。

  This company grew from an ugly duckling into an industry leader.