red-headed stepchild
Neglected family member
Red-headed stepchild refers to someone or something neglected, unwanted, or treated as inferior compared to others in a group.
The phrase draws on stereotypes of stepchildren as less favored and red hair as marking someone as different: The marketing department has always been the red-headed stepchild of this company.
Often used self-deprecatingly or to describe organizational neglect.
Disreputable family member
- pariahRejected, shunned person
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- misfitOne who doesn't fit in
- rejectDismiss as unsuitable
scapegoat · persona non grata · fifth wheel · third wheel · oddball · ugly duckling · square peg · castoff
Pungent culinary rhizome
- frecklesPigmented skin spots
- carrot-topSlang for a redhead
- flame-hairedHaving bright red hair
- auburnReddish-brown hue
sunburn · prejudice · superstition · folklore · myth · bias · mockery · teasing
Not noticed or considered
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
- forgottenNo longer recalled
unwanted · unloved · disregarded · unappreciated · dismissed · invisible · unacknowledged · secondary
black sheep
Disreputable family member
reject · scapegoat · persona non grata · fifth wheel · third wheel · oddball · ugly duckling · square peg · castoff · unwelcome
ginger
Pungent culinary rhizome
- frecklesPigmented skin spots
- carrot-topSlang for a redhead
- flame-hairedHaving bright red hair
auburn · sunburn · prejudice · superstition · folklore · myth · bias · mockery · teasing · bullying
overlooked
Not noticed or considered
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- ignoredPurposely not noticed
- sidelinedRemoved from participation
forgotten · unwanted · unloved · disregarded · unappreciated · dismissed · invisible · unacknowledged · secondary · inferior
red-headed stepchildgolden child
Family's most favored member
favorite · fair-haired boy · favorite son · apple of one's eye · teacher's pet
red-headed stepchildflagship
Commander's principal vessel
crown jewel · pet project · top priority · priority · centerpiece
headed, stepchild, child, redder, reddest, redness, redden, heads, heading