earn your stripes

earn (one's) stripes

To prove that one is deserving of a particular position or designation. I told the recruiter that I earned my stripes as a teacher before moving into administration.
See also: earn, stripe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

earn your stripes

If you earn your stripes, you gain enough experience to deserve a particular job or position. Mr. Thaddeus earned his stripes playing for such foreign bands as the London-based Pitiful Souls and Singapore's X-Periments. He has worked hard to earn his stripes as a skilled debater in the House of Assembly.
See also: earn, stripe
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • earn (one's) stripes
  • earn one's stripes
  • bring (one) up for (something)
  • bring up for
  • rate as
  • rate as (something)
  • rank as
  • rank as (something)
  • worthy of the name
  • know where (one) is with (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Lilac cat eye, PS7.99, New Look (newlook.com/uk) 8 EARN YOUR STRIPES Grab these metallic-rimmed round shades, PS45, QuayAustralia.co.uk 9 CUT THE MUSTARD You'll be looking mellow in this round yellow pair, PS7, Pull & Bear (pullandbear.com/gb) 10 TWINKLE, TWINKLE This pair of jewelled sunnies will set you back PS40 at Dune (dunelondon.com) * PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT.
This silver bangle is PS12.50 at Topshop 6 RED ALERT Add a splash of colour to your little black dress with red jewel earrings, PS9.60, jonrichard.com 7 GOING FOR GOLD Keep your party essentials in this gorgeous gold box clutch, PS22, Dorothy Perkins 8 LITTLE GEMS Brighten up an all-black ensemble with these cute clip-ons, PS12.99, Zara 9 EARN YOUR STRIPES You're good to go with this striped clutch, PS8, Primark 10 SILVER LADY Add some serious sparkle to your look.
There's a chance this summer to earn your stripes and be part of something special.
Sun and Moon brought good, substantial RPG adventure back to the series but newbies, as ever, will love or hate the saccharine characters, increasingly bonkers Pokemon design and repetitive trundling required to earn your stripes as a top trainer.
"I would say earn your stripes first and show you can organise so that you can control the team and show that your training works, all the things that are linked with management and leadership."
STYLISH STRIPES to Earn your stripes with these key pieces - Parisian boyfriend not included.
But, in golf, you have to earn your stripes and the positive vibes he'll have picked up last week will reinforce the belief he can go on and secure his European Tour card.
Earn your stripes Stripes are a perennial spring favourite, but for spring/summer 2017, think of them in every variation, including super-sized and in a rainbow of colours.
In life, it used to be said that you have to earn your stripes. You had to learn your craft before you could be respected for it and put in the hard graft before you got your rewards.
She added: "I think you need to earn your stripes and start small.I don't have the confidence to [perform in the West End] and I need to start small and work my way up like everyone else." (ANI)
The winner of the contest, presented by the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes "Earn Your Stripes" program, will go to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla., with two companions and take the field before the game to present the game ball to a member of the officiating staff.
"Michael embodies the values behind our Frosted Flakes Earn Your Stripes program.
The Advertising Standards Authority launched an investigation after a complaint about a football-themed commercial for Frosties that included the slogan 'train hard, eat right and earn your stripes'.
Left, earn your stripes with this jumper (pounds 25) and twisted seam jeans (pounds 25).
Try these for the perfect pop of colour to your wardrobe 1 go dotty Blouse PS18, and trousers PS20, Tu Clothing at Sainsbury's 2 earn your stripes Jumper PS10, Studio.co.uk 3 wear the trousers Trousers PS18, SimplyBe.co.uk 4 bolt from the blue Jumper PS6, Pep & Co at Poundland 5 low rider Shoes PS19.50, Marks & Spencer 6 bag it up Bag PS19.99, Zara 7 jean genie Jeans PS20, Bonmarche.co.uk 8 the gloves are on Gloves PS14, Accessorize 9 keep your hat on Hat PS10, Next 10 a dash of lime Jacket PS20, Matalan