Meaning of grim ælling | Babel Free

Definitions

1. ugly duckling (one who is ugly, but who is expected to become beautiful or handsome as they mature)
   common-gender, idiomatic
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see grim, ælling.
   common-gender

Equivalents

Examples

“Det gør det vigtigt, at man i de almindelige tidsskrifter også giver plads til en lidt ufærdig idé , der kan udvikle sig fra en grim ælling til en fuldbåren svane.”

This makes it important that ordinary periodicals also make space for a somewhat unfinished idea that can transform from an ugly duckling to a consummate swan.

“Men alligevel forandrede DEF sig fra at være en grim ælling til en flot svane.”

But nonetheless, DEF [Danmarks Elektroniske Forskningsbibliotek] turned from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.

“»Da Rigoletto blev født, var han en grim ælling. En meget grim ælling. Men med årerne og en masse arbejde, er han blevet til en smuk svane.”

"When Rigoletto was born, he was an ugly duckling. A very ugly duckling. But with years and a lot of work, he has become a beautiful swan.

CEFR level