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with flying colors

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with flying colors

Cliché easily and excellently. John passed his geometry test with flying colors. Sally qualified for the race with flying colors.

See also: color, flying

with flying colors

with great success She took a driving test and passed with flying colors. My brother always managed to get through his courses, although not always with flying colors.

Etymology: based on the small and colorful flags flown (hung in the wind) on boats and ships in a race or when coming into port

See also: color, flying

with flying colors

mod. flamboyantly; boldly. Paul came home with flying colors after the match.

See also: color, flying

with flying colors

With complete or outstanding success: passed the exam with flying colors.

See also: color, flying