Cinderella stories
Rags-to-riches tales
Cinderella stories are narratives of unexpected transformation from obscurity or hardship to success and recognition.
From the fairy tale of the mistreated girl who becomes a princess, the term applies to real-world underdogs who achieve improbable triumph: The team's championship run was a true Cinderella story.
Sports coverage especially favors the phrase for unknown competitors who advance far in tournaments.
- once upon a timeTraditional narrative opening
- fairy godmotherMagical benefactor figure
- risesMoves upward
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
long shot · unlikely hero · come from behind · against all odds · rags to riches · dream come true · midnight · transformation · victory · upsets · achievements · ball · successes · glass slipper · pumpkin carriage · stroke of midnight · folk tales · magic
Cinderella storiesfall from grace
Loss of status or reputation
tragic downfall · cautionary tales · Greek tragedies · reversal of fortune · Shakespearean tragedies