come off with flying colors
To win, achieve, or accomplish something exceptionally well or very successfully. Said especially of a test, examination, or training of some kind. Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she came off with flying colors! It was the team's first time in a tournament match, but I know they'll come off with flying colors. If you come off with flying colors this year, you might just end up being a top 10 pick in the NHL Draft.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
flying colors, come off with
To succeed; to win. This term, which alludes to the victorious battleship sailing with flags high, dates from the late seventeenth century. “It may . . . bring a man off with flying colours,” wrote philosopher John Locke (A Letter Concerning Toleration, 1692).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer