earn one's stripes
Gain credibility gradually
To earn one's stripes is to gain experience, credentials, or respect through hard work and proven performance.
The phrase comes from military rank insignia—stripes on a uniform indicate promotion through demonstrated competence.
Someone who has earned their stripes has paid their dues: She earned her stripes as a reporter covering city hall before becoming an anchor.
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- meritDeserved praise-worthiness
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- put in the workApply consistent effort
- rankPosition in hierarchy
prove yourself · pay your dues · respect · learning · perseverance · improvement · mastery · badge · experience · boots on the ground · trial by fire · commitment · insignia · progress · trustworthiness · authority · service · credibility
earn one's stripesnepotism
Preferring kin in hiring
skate by · entitlement · game the system · pull strings · rest on one's laurels
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