earning one's stripes
Demonstrating deserved authority
Earning one's stripes means gaining experience, credentials, or respect through effort and achievement.
The expression comes from military rank insignia—stripes on a uniform indicate promotions earned through service.
Now used broadly for proving oneself in any field: She earned her stripes working her way up from intern to partner.
He's still earning his stripes as a director.
- accomplishmentSuccessful completion of aim
- meritDeserved praise-worthiness
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
- learning the ropesGaining initial competence
rank · climbing the ladder · improvement · perseverance · promotion · badge · diligence · trial by fire · hard knocks · grit · insignia · hierarchy · sacrifice · blood sweat and tears · resilience · toil · expertise · apprenticeship
earning one's stripesbirthright
Entitlement from origin
nepotism · legacy admission · family connections · old boy network · privilege
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