flying colors

plural noun

1. flags or ensigns flown on a ship.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying colors¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   He passed the test with flying colors.

Example Sentences

The resulting authenticity passed the verisimilitude test with flying colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Ten years after immigrating, my parents passed their naturalization tests with flying colors.

From Seattle Times

“He’s handled it with flying colors,” said Roberts.

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s handled it with flying colors,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

He was concerned before that game about how Ben might react in large crowd and in a loud stadium, especially one as notorious as Husky Stadium, but Ben passed the test with flying colors.

From Washington Times