from rags to riches
idiom
: from a state of having very little money to a state of having a lot of money
She went from rags to riches overnight.
Examples of from rags to riches in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Higher-ups in the Sinaloa Cartel show off their mansions and narrate their personal journeys from rags to riches.
—
Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025
But the story of the elder Mangione, who ascended from rags to riches, is now likely to be overshadowed by the story of his grandson, who could face the rest of his life behind bars after being charged with second-degree murder.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Vance’s first claim to fame may have been his rise from rags to riches, but Thiel was key to his political success.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024
Manufacturing has also been central to the economic success of virtually every other nation that has gone from rags to riches.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 4 June 2024
Flamin’ Hot is a solidly okay directorial debut for Eva Longoria, an engaging yarn about a blue-collar Mexican-American who gave the world the gift of Hot Cheetos, thus rising from rags to riches.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Florida resident Abraham Shakespeare went from rags to riches after winning $30 million in the lottery in 2006.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2023
Tiffany Haddish's The Last Black Unicorn is a laugh-out-loud funny memoir that details the actress and comedian's rise from rags to riches.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 9 May 2022
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Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025
But the story of the elder Mangione, who ascended from rags to riches, is now likely to be overshadowed by the story of his grandson, who could face the rest of his life behind bars after being charged with second-degree murder.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Vance’s first claim to fame may have been his rise from rags to riches, but Thiel was key to his political success.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024
Manufacturing has also been central to the economic success of virtually every other nation that has gone from rags to riches.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 4 June 2024
Flamin’ Hot is a solidly okay directorial debut for Eva Longoria, an engaging yarn about a blue-collar Mexican-American who gave the world the gift of Hot Cheetos, thus rising from rags to riches.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024
Florida resident Abraham Shakespeare went from rags to riches after winning $30 million in the lottery in 2006.
—Allie Weintraub, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2023
Tiffany Haddish's The Last Black Unicorn is a laugh-out-loud funny memoir that details the actress and comedian's rise from rags to riches.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 9 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“From rags to riches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/from%20rags%20to%20riches. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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