idioms

an ugly duckling (an ugly or unpromising person or thing that turns out to be beautiful or successful) At first, he was an ugly duckling, fat, and clumsy, and unpopular. This land is an ugly duckling, but it has a lot of potential.   – English Vocabulary

an eager beaver (someone who is willing to work very hard) John is an eager beaver and always leaves work late. Daniel is an eager beaver; it seems that he never knows what tiredness is.   – English Vocabulary

  as the crow flies (in a straight line) My house is five miles away on the actual drive, but only three as the crow flies. That town is forty miles from here, as the crow flies.   – English Vocabulary

  as sly as a fox (cunning, crafty) No one likes him because he is sly as a fox. Do not trust him; he is as sly as a fox.   – English Vocabulary

  a snake oil salesman (a person who tries to sell you something of no value) Where there is desperation, a snake oil salesman is nearby. Most of the politicians are just a bunch of snake-oil salesmen.     – English Vocabulary