rags-to-riches


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rags-to-riches

adjective (used before a noun) Characterized by a rise from poverty to great or exceptional wealth. My uncle's is a true rags-to-riches story: he grew up without a penny, but through sheer determination, he founded his own company and is now one of the wealthiest men in the state.

rags to riches

COMMON If you describe someone's life as a rags to riches story, you are saying that they were very poor when they were young but became very rich and successful later in life. His life sounds to me like the classic rags to riches story. He married some money, I gather, then made a lot more. Note: You can also say that someone goes from rags to riches or rises from rags to riches. When asked how he went from rags to riches, Plunkett said, `I saw my opportunities and I took them.' People who rise from rags to riches are often afraid the good life will be snatched away from them. Note: People sometimes use the expression riches to rags to mean that you have been very rich but have lost a lot of money and so have become very poor. The country went from riches to rags in a generation.
See also: rag, riches

(from) rags to riches

used to describe a person's rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth.
2000 Imogen Edwards-Jones My Canapé Hell Much was made of his East End roots, his chance discovery on Oxford Street. He was truly a modern day tale of rags to riches.
See also: rag, riches
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The rags-to-riches tale, which has already bagged seven Baftas and four Golden Globes is vying with The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk and The Reader for the coveted best picture award.
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She is one of the world's top authors, yet Catherine Cookson's own life story is a rags-to-riches epic in its own right.
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Set towards the end of the 19th century, this lavish saga tells the story of her rags-to-riches transformation following her employment at The Paradise department store.
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New Delhi, February 24 (ANI): Now US President, Barack Obama is mesmerized by Slumdog Millionaire.According to the White House Obama wants to watch the acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire.The exhilarating rags-to-riches fairy tale set in Mumbai,swept the Oscars with eight awards including the best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay; with A R Rahman becoming the only Indian to bag two Oscars for the best score and original song.
Obama wants to watch Slumdog Millionaire
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