flying colors

American  

plural noun

1. flags or ensigns flown on a ship.

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idioms

1. with flying colors, with an overwhelming victory, triumph, or success.

   He passed the test with flying colors.

Etymology

Origin of flying colors

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flying colors

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

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

For my part, I passed with flying colors the screens for gestational diabetes and hypertension.

From Slate ● Nov. 26, 2023

Although the fuel in the storage pools in the reactor buildings had become dangerously hot during the long ordeal, another onsite storage system had come through with flying colors.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland