flying colors, come off with
flying colors, come off with
To succeed; to win. This term, which alludes to the victorious battleship sailing with flags high, dates from the late seventeenth century. “It may . . . bring a man off with flying colours,” wrote philosopher John Locke (A Letter Concerning Toleration, 1692).
See also: come, flying, off
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- settle old scores, to
- time on one's hands, (to have)
- laugh out of the other side of your face/mouth, you'll/to
- last-ditch defense/effort
- tree hugger
- believe one's own eyes, one cannot
- busy as a beaver/bee
- drunk as a lord/skunk
- go(ing) to the dogs
- binge-watch