Here's how it's used:
* "She passed her exams with flying colours." (She got excellent marks.)
* "The team won the championship with flying colours." (They won easily and convincingly.)
* "The project was completed with flying colours." (It was completed very well and on time.)
Origin:
The origin of the phrase is uncertain. Some believe it refers to a ship's flag flying proudly after a successful battle, while others associate it with military units who earned colours (flags) as a reward for bravery and victory.
Other related idioms:
* Fly high: To achieve great success.
* Fly the coop: To escape or leave quickly.
* Give someone their wings: To give someone the confidence to succeed.
* Take off: To become successful quickly.