earn (one's) wings

(redirected from earning his wings)

earn (one's) wings

To prove one's merit and skill. I never thought much of Stu, but he really earned his wings this week with how well he handled the merger.
See also: earn, wing
References in periodicals archive ?
Upon earning his wings, he was assigned as a UH-1 Huey pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
United States : Tackett named Command Chief Warrant Officer
His success in earning his wings was helped by a flight simulator he built in the spare bedroom of his family home.
FLIGHT FEVER; TRAVOLTA TREAT FOR TEEN PILOT
After earning his wings and commission he served as a flight commander with the 51st Fighter Wing, in South Korea, Okinawa, and Talwan.
Lt. Gen William Henry Ginn, Jr. (1928-2010)
Despite earning his wings, the prince will not be allowed to fly civilian aircraft.
ROYAL HEIR FORCE; PRINCE WILLIAM GETS HIS WINGS..FROM DAD
Jimmy Carr presents some of the most popular festive clips of all time, from George Bailey's guardian angel earning his wings in It's a Wonderful Life to the kiss Dawn shares with Tim under the mistletoe in The Office
Weekend TV; The X Factor Final, Tonight, ITV1 6.40pm & 9.10pm/Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1 6.30pm and 9.20pm
Initially a surface officer on fast minesweepers, he transferred to aviation in 1949, earning his wings in 1950.
Remembering VAdm. James Bond Stockdale, 1923-2005
After earning his wings, the lieutenant took his future bride to his parent's home in Mezotur, Hungary.
Getting his shot: 2nd Lt. Jozsef Jonas never gave up on his dream of flying
He worked his way up through training aircraft before earning his wings five years later.
A man who only makes flying visits
Sabardin earned his living and paid his tuition by simultaneously working as a flight instructor while in school, finally earning his wings as an Airline Transport Pilot for US Airways, and flying as a First Officer for the Charlotte hubbed airline for five years.
Convergent Acquisitions & Development, Inc. Board Elects Nicolas Sabardin as President
The prince, an officer in the Household Cavalry Regiment, has already learned to fly with the RAF, earning his wings in April.
Wills joins the special forces
He's too young to drink and too young to vote ( but high flier Michael Holmes is on cloud nine after earning his wings.
Plane crazy
He took regular lessons, costing pounds 78 a time, and clocked up 53 hours flying solo before earning his wings.
BOY FLIER SAVED BY 757 PILOT; Rookie talked down in storm
And now the 26-year-old from Whitestone has seen his dream come true after earning his wings from the RAF.
Joy for Ian as career takes flight!; WHITESTONE 'TOP GUN' ON CLOUD NINE AFTER WINNING HIS RAF WINGS
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