earn (one's) wings

To prove one's merit and skill. I never thought much of Stu, but he really earned his wings this week with how well he handled the merger.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Montgomery	[mənt'gʌməri]
Eric	['erik]
Narcisa	-	Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Romanian
Jacquette	-	French (Rare)
Ashenden	['æʃndən]
Kepheus	-	Greek Mythology