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.
But crises like this are tests of leadership, and CEO George Kurtz passed with flying colors.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
The week was punctuated by tests, all of which the ship passed with flying colors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
For the Palisades boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams, they’ve made it through with flying colors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 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
Heylmun and Civille can pass the triangle test with flying colors, because their knowledge gives their first impressions resiliency.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
