Cinderella
7
4.9
- noun
- /ˌsɪn.dəˈrɛl.ə/
- Informal
- He was often overlooked, but his hard work led to a Cinderella ending when he was promoted to manager.
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Watch on YouTubeWow, talk about a true Cinderella moment, isn't it?
- Wow, talk about a true Cinderella moment, isn't it?
- Yes, there are Cinderella stories of authors who sold instantly at auction, but those are pretty rare.
- From a cage fighting story to the Cinderella story.
- I guess it was sold to me because it was a mixture of the selection if it took place in Versailles, but also it's a Cinderella story.
Examples
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The charity's initiative to help homeless people became a Cinderella story when it received national recognition and funding.
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Mental health has always been the Cinderella of the NHS.
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And I think that speaks to why it has perhaps been a Cinderella service in the past, because it's not been tangible.
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Recognition of the increasing impact of COPD on the health service and society has pushed COPD, the 'Cinderella' of respiratory disease, up the political and health agenda.
Academic text (2014) -
After struggling in her career for years, she finally experienced a Cinderella moment when her artwork was featured in a prestigious gallery.
How Recognized
Surface Forms
Etymology
Cinderella comes from the French name Cendrillon, from cendre meaning 'ash', like the English word cinder. It gives a clear image: someone who starts hidden in the 'ashes'—ignored or overlooked—but then suddenly wins success, so we call a person whose talents were unnoticed a Cinderella.