( ugly ducklings)
If you say that someone, especially a child, is an ugly duckling , you mean that they are unattractive or awkward now, but will probably develop into an attractive and successful person.
N-COUNT : usu sing
UGLY DUCKLING
Meaning of UGLY DUCKLING in English
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне. 2006