with flying colours

Related to with flying colours: with flying colors

with flying colors

Exceptionally well or very successfully. Said especially of one's performance in a test, examination, competition, or training of some kind. Samantha was rather nervous taking her final exam, but she passed with flying colors! Your brother passed his apprenticeship with flying colors. He'll be a master builder in no time!
See also: color, flying
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

with flying colours

COMMON If you achieve something, such as passing an examination, with flying colours, you achieve it easily and are very successful. Note: A ship's colours are its national flag. She passed the entrance exam with flying colors. Note: The image here is of a victorious battleship sailing back into port with its national flag flying.
See also: colour, flying
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

with flying colours

with distinction.
Formerly, in military contexts, flying colours meant having the regimental flag flying as a sign of success or victory; a conquered army usually had to lower (or strike ) its colours .
See also: colour, flying
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

with ˌflying ˈcolours

(British English) (American English with ˌflying ˈcolors) with great success: We expect your son to pass the exam with flying colours. She came through her French test with flying colours.In the past, if a ship or an army lost a battle it had to take down its colours (= the national flag). The ship or army that won a victory continued to show its flag.
See also: colour, flying
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • not a peep from/out of (someone)
  • past caring
  • (way) past caring
  • have a whale of a (good) time
  • have a whale of a time
  • a whale of a (good) time
  • pour (one's) heart out (to someone)
  • pour heart out to
  • pour out (one's) heart (to someone)
  • pour out one's heart
References in periodicals archive
"Despite facing a big test on official figures in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle, he passed it with flying colours
Horse Racing: Sizing Europe can maintain Irish run; in association with Pagebet
Jashpur, (Chhattisgarh) [India] June 9 ( ANI ): Despite being born into extreme poverty, a student from Chhattisgarh's Jashpur district came out with flying colours, scoring 90 percent in the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Mains.
Chhattisgarh school cook's son secures 90% in JEE
First National Bank Holdings announced recently that their 50 delegates of the New Managers' Development Programme (NMDP), Management Development Programme (MDP) and Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) programme of the University of Stellenbosch passed their courses with flying colours. Magda Talbot of FNB received the award for best academic student for MDP, while Rodney Forbes was amongst the top four in the SMDP programme.
Bank employees achieve milestones
A couple of minor niggles forced her to miss Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July meeting but she came through a gallop on Saturday with flying colours and is all set to return.
Regal Realm set for second outing
After passing the tough test with flying colours, Betty, of Roath, Cardiff, said: "I was very proud to pass.
Tea lady, 97 passes test; RULES
LOOK HERE came through her latest workout with flying colours ahead of her return to action in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday.
LOOK HERE came through her latest workout
But now, against the odds, Val of West Boldon, South Tyneside, is celebrating after passing a college course with flying colours.
Disabled student's studies open door to new life; Woman defies all odds
BIG BROWN came through his final workout before the Belmont Stakes with flying colours as his date with destiny draws ever closer.
BROWN FOR CROWN
The four cars that passed the tough test with flying colours were the BMW 525i SE, Lexus RX300 SE-L, Peugeot 407 SE and BMW X3 SE.
Driving Seat: Security champs
Both came through with flying colours. The only problem for Wayne that I can foresee is that he faces three games in nine days and could be tired later in the tournament.
IAN RUSH: Duo give perfect response
The Seamus Graham-trained star faces his stiffest task to date, but can come through with flying colours.
Premier bet must be first port of call
'We played well and came through with flying colours and there are positive signs.
Football: Crows win battle
Jackie Crick (left), Sue Hadley (centre) and Gemma Baker, the Bromsgrove museum's education and interpretation team, passed the certificate in basic donkey care with flying colours and were given awards accredited by the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon.
Donkey devotees: Museum staff qualify to offer expert care advice
On Monday, head coach Jim Criner saw his gridiron Bravehearts come through their first test with flying colours against the World Bowl champions, the Barcelona Dragons.
Monarchs shock the Scots
Summary: New Delhi [India] Jun 5(ANI): The topper of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2018 Kalpana Kumari's marks card is deemed to be a reflection of the perseverance she showed in emerging successful with flying colours.
NEET 2018 topper's marks card a jaw dropper!