Idioms

[ablinsag]

coming out in flying colors

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forums, ablinsag.

In future posts. . .

1. Please ask a question in a complete sentence in standard English (as far as you are able). Like this:

'What does the idiom "coming out in flying colors" mean?'

2. Please give your thread a title which includes the word or phrased being asked about – such as 'coming out in flying colors'.

3. Please note that we have a forum dedicated to idioms. Click HERE to find it.

* * *

To answer your question, the idiom is not 'in...' but 'with flying colo(u)rs'.

With flying colours (colors)If you pass something with flying colours (colors), you pass easily, with a very high mark or grade.

(From our own list of idioms)

Rover

[Grumpy]

The phrase comes from sea battles. The national flags carried by warships were [and still are] called their "colours", and these were attached to a high mast, from where the colours were said to "fly". When a ship surrendered in battle, it lowered its colours, so a victorious ship would come away from the battle with its colours still flying.