badge of honor
Symbol of achievement
A badge of honor is an achievement, experience, or quality someone wears with pride—often something that might otherwise seem negative.
Scars, failures, or hardships become badges of honor when reframed as evidence of courage or resilience: He treats his rejection letters as badges of honor.
The phrase draws on military decorations awarded for valor.
- medalMetal honor token
- meritDeserved praise-worthiness
- bragging rightsInformal claim to superiority
- starLuminous astronomical object
- pinPointed metal fastener
recognition · rite of passage · valor · success · hardship · sacrifice · resilience · accolade · accomplishment · perseverance · commendation · war story · war wound · pride · point of pride · achievement · purple heart · stripes
- military honorsPurple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, Victoria Cross
badge of honorbadge of shame
Mark of disgrace
mark of shame · stigma · black mark · scarlet letter · stain
honor, badge, badger, honorable, badges, honorably, badged, honorarium, honorific