A person who suddenly becomes successful or important and is often seen as not deserving of their position because they lack experience or proper background.
From 'up' + 'start' meaning to rise up suddenly (mid-1500s). It originally described anyone who suddenly rose in status, but evolved a negative connotation implying arrogance or undeserved success.
Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and many tech billionaires were called 'upstarts' when young, but many upstarts in history ended up changing the world—it's often just about those in power dismissing younger, fresher ideas!
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