poster child

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Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: 1. A child afflicted by a disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters for charitable fundraising: The original, literal meaning refers to a specific child whose image represents a charitable cause. 2. A person or thing that serves as a representative symbol or outstanding example of a particular quality, cause, or characteristic: A figurative and more common modern usage. It denotes someone or something that perfectly embodies, represents, or publicizes an idea, movement, or trend, often in a positive but sometimes in a negative context.

Usage Examples

  • Literal Meaning:

    • The foundation selected a young boy as the poster child for its campaign to fight childhood cancer.
    • Her face became famous as the poster child for the international hunger relief effort.

  • Figurative Meaning:

    • The successful tech startup became the poster child for innovation in the industry.
    • After the scandal, the politician was seen as the poster child for government corruption.
    • This model is the poster child for energy-efficient appliances.
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase is often used in the construction "the poster child for [something]."
  • It can imply that the subject is being used symbolically, sometimes without their full consent or in a reductive way, to represent a larger group or issue.
  • While originally positive (for charity), the figurative use can be either positive (an ideal example) or negative (a prime example of a problem).
Variants and Related Words
  • Poster boy (n.): A male who serves as a representative symbol. (e.g., )
  • Poster girl (n.): A female who serves as a representative symbol. (e.g., )
Synonyms
  • Archetype: A very typical example.
  • Embodiment: A tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.
  • Epitome: A perfect example of a particular quality.
  • Figurehead: A nominal leader or representative.
  • Symbol: A mark or character used as a conventional representation.
Related Idioms & Phrases
  • Face of the campaign: The person most publicly associated with a promotional effort.
    • The celebrity became the face of the campaign to promote literacy.
  • Standard-bearer: A leading figure in a cause or movement.
    • The company is a standard-bearer for ethical manufacturing practices.
Noun
  1. a child afflicted by some disease or deformity whose picture is used on posters to raise money for charitable purposes
    • she was the poster child for muscular dystrophy