Synonyms

flying colors

American

plural noun

flags or ensigns flown on a ship.

idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was as though I had agonized over an exam, prepared for the worst, then passed with flying colors in spite of myself.

From Literature

And this time around, recent form suggests the Americans should pass the test with flying colors.

From The Wall Street Journal

The week was punctuated by tests, all of which the ship passed with flying colors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Trailing at halftime for the first time all season, Palisades faced its toughest test so far and passed with flying colors to stay unbeaten Friday night in San Pedro.

From Los Angeles Times

For the Palisades boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams, they’ve made it through with flying colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023