flying colors
Americanplural noun
idioms
Etymology
Origin of flying colors
First recorded in 1600–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The week was punctuated by tests, all of which the ship passed with flying colors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025
When it came to the "One Hand Clapping" sessions, McCartney wanted to test Wings’ roadworthiness, an exam that the post-Beatles outfit passed with flying colors.
From Salon • Mar. 21, 2025
And while TOTO’s Drake model passed with flying colors, flushing 900 grams—nearly 2 pounds of fake poo—other companies’ models flushed less than 150 grams.
From Slate • Feb. 25, 2025
Ten years after immigrating, my parents passed their naturalization tests with flying colors.
From Seattle Times • May 4, 2024
Richard had passed the first hurdle with flying colors.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
