1305 Pass with flying colors

Explanation

To pass a test, evaluation, inspection, or challenge very successfully, easily, and with excellent results.

Origin

Believed to come from naval history.
Ships returning home victoriously or sailing during celebrations would fly all their flags, pennants, and banners (known collectively as colors) from their masts.
To pass by or arrive with flying colors meant displaying these symbols of success and triumph prominently. It signified a clear and unambiguous victory or achievement.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Ace it / Aced it
Nail it / Nailed it
Kill it / Killed it
Smash it / Smashed it (UK)
Breeze through it
Walk it (Pass very easily, informal)
Crush it / Crushed it

Vulgar/Emphatic:

Pass it like a fucking boss
Absolutely demolish it / destroy it (Figuratively, meaning perform extremely well)
Kick its ass

Milder:

Pass easily / Pass comfortably
Achieve an excellent result
Perform exceptionally well
Pass with distinction
Do extremely well

Situational Appropriateness

Informal to semi-formal.
Widely applicable and positive, suitable for celebrating achievements in exams, tests, evaluations, performances, inspections, etc.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Learners might not connect colors to flags/success. Explain the historical origin and that it simply means very successfully or excellently.

Examples

She passed her final exams with flying colors.
The new restaurant passed its health inspection with flying colors.
He was nervous about the driving test, but he passed with flying colors.
The team passed the project review with flying colors.

Dialogue

Parent: How did Sarah do on her piano recital?

Teacher: She was wonderful! Played beautifully and passed with flying colors. The examiner was very impressed.

Parent: Oh, that's wonderful news! We're so proud of her hard work.

Response Patterns

Congratulations/Praise: Wow, that's fantastic! / Congratulations! / Well done! / Amazing job!
Expressing being impressed: I knew you could do it! / That's brilliant!
Inquiry about details (optional): What score did you get? (Use contextually).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing someone passed with flying colors:

Offer congratulations.
Ask about the experience: Was it difficult?
Inquire about the next step: So what's next for you?
Suggest celebrating: We should celebrate your success!

Conversation Starter

No. Describes the successful manner in which someone passed something.

Intonation

Emphasis on flying colors.
She passed the test with FLYING COLORS!
Usually said with enthusiasm, pride, or admiration.

Generation Differences

Widely understood and used across generations. Slang alternatives are more age-specific.

Regional Variations

Common in all major English-speaking regions. Smash it is more common in the UK.

Come up roses

🎲 Dead in the water

[1305] Pass with flying colors