成なり上あがる

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

rise in the world; climb the social ladder

Often implies a sudden or dramatic rise from a low position to wealth, power, or high status. Can carry a slightly negative nuance of being an upstart or nouveau riche.

• 彼かれは貧まずしい家いえから成なり上あがって、今いまでは大だい企き業ぎょうの社しゃ長ちょうだ。

  He rose from a poor family and is now the president of a large company.

• 成なり上あがるには、運うんだけでなく努ど力りょくも必ひつ要ようだ。

  To rise in the world, you need not only luck but also effort.