with flying colors
In spectacular fashion
To pass or succeed with flying colors is to do so triumphantly, with outstanding results: She passed the bar exam with flying colors.
The image comes from naval tradition—a victorious ship would sail into port with its flags (colors) flying high, while a defeated vessel would lower them.
The phrase now applies to any impressive success.
- gold medalAward for winning
- medalMetal honor token
- victoryDefeating an opponent
- victory lapCelebratory post-competition circuit
- bannerDisplayed strip with message
distinction · breezed · trophy · triumph · first place · excellence · applause · standing ovation · flag · mastery · proficiency · smooth sailing · sailing · accomplishment · effortless · nailed it · valedictorian · finish
with flying colorsgoing down in flames
Failing catastrophically and publicly
dismally · miserably · catastrophically · crashing and burning · disastrously
with flying colorsbarely
Only just, almost not
by the skin of one's teeth · just barely · by a hair · narrowly · by a whisker