Cinderellas
Overlooked then triumphant
Cinderellas are things or people that have been neglected or overlooked but deserve recognition—or that undergo dramatic transformation from obscurity to success.
The fairy tale character who goes from servant to princess gives the metaphor: Cinderellas of the tournament often make deep runs, The city's parks are Cinderellas in the municipal budget.
In philately, Cinderellas are stamps or stamp-like labels outside official postal issues.
Royal family daughters
- stepsistersSiblings by remarriage
- glass slippersTransparent shoes from folklore
- pumpkinsLarge orange autumn gourds
- coachesThose who instruct athletes
midnight · ballgowns · fairy godmothers · princes · castles · transformations · rags-to-riches · enchantments
Total appearance transformations
- metamorphosesThorough changes in form
- glow-upsDramatic positive transformations
- reinventionsActs of remaking completely
- revivalsReturns to prominence
turnarounds · rags-to-riches · renovations · restorations · beautifications · rebrandings · comebacks · revamps
Not noticed or considered
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- unappreciatedNot given due recognition
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- mistreatedHarmed through poor treatment
downtrodden · exploited · overworked · servants · drudges · scullery maids · household chores · ashes
Unlikely but possible winners
- long shotsUnlikely to succeed
- upsetsDisturbs or overturns
- underdogsCompetitors expected to fail
- sleepersUnactivated spies or surprise hits
surprises · giant-killers · tournaments · champions · dreamers · contenders · strivers · nobodies
princesses
Royal family daughters
- stepsistersSiblings by remarriage
- glass slippersTransparent shoes from folklore
- pumpkinsLarge orange autumn gourds
coaches · midnight · ballgowns · fairy godmothers · princes · castles · transformations · rags-to-riches · enchantments · wishes
makeovers
Total appearance transformations
- metamorphosesThorough changes in form
- glow-upsDramatic positive transformations
- reinventionsActs of remaking completely
revivals · turnarounds · rags-to-riches · renovations · restorations · beautifications · rebrandings · comebacks · revamps · upgrades
overlooked
Not noticed or considered
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- unappreciatedNot given due recognition
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
mistreated · downtrodden · exploited · overworked · servants · drudges · scullery maids · household chores · ashes · soot
dark horses
Unlikely but possible winners
- long shotsUnlikely to succeed
- upsetsDisturbs or overturns
- underdogsCompetitors expected to fail
sleepers · surprises · giant-killers · tournaments · champions · dreamers · contenders · strivers · nobodies · outsiders
Cinderellasfavorites
Most preferred choices
top seeds · frontrunners · powerhouses · juggernauts · blue bloods
Cinderellascautionary tales
Stories conveying warnings
tragic heroes · has-beens · busts · flameouts · disappointments
- Cinderella storiesUnexpected success narratives
- Cinderella storyImprobable rise to victory
- Cinderella CastleDisney World's central fortress
- Cinderella teamUnexpected tournament success story
- Cinderella dressMagical transformation gown
- Cinderella runUnexpected playoff success