flying colors

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See synonyms for flying colors on Thesaurus.com

plural noun

flags or ensigns flown on a ship.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about flying colors

with flying colors, with an overwhelming victory, triumph, or success:He passed the test with flying colors.

Origin of flying colors

First recorded in 1600–10

Words nearby flying colors

flying bond, flying boxcar, flying bridge, flying buttress, flying circus, flying colors, flying colours, flying column, flying doctor, flying dragon, Flying Dustbin

How to use flying colors in a sentence

But happily, by following these simple guidelines, you are sure to get through with flying colors.
Your Super Bowl Etiquette Guide From Food to Clothes to What Not to Say|Kelly Williams Brown|February 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And now you put your cavalier sense of entitlement to the test, passing with flying colors.
Horoscopes: The Week of April 3|Starsky + Cox|April 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Nomi passes the test with flying colors at first, but upon closer scrutiny, she stumbles.
Burlesque v. Showgirls: The Face-Off|Nicole LaPorte|November 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Forty years ago people passed the test of the Santa Barbara oil spill with flying colors.
A Disaster's Silver Lining|Bill McKibben|April 30, 2010|DAILY BEAST

There's some vile plot laid against Howard, but if he doesn't come clean out of it with flying colors, call me a simpleton.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878|Various
John admitted that he could carry off the affair with flying colors.
The Opened Shutters|Clara Louise Burnham
His father had expected to see him go through college and graduate with flying colors.
Frank Merriwell's Races|Burt L. Standish
Lundie will be eternally grateful to the man who shall help this little enterprise to come off with flying colors.
The Pathfinder|James Fenimore Cooper
This is a fine mess, but well soon be out of it with flying colors.
The Meadow-Brook Girls Across Country|Janet Aldridge