earn one's wings
English
Etymology
From the film It's a Wonderful Life, in which Charlie has to prove himself to earn his wings as a full-fledged angel.
Verb
earn one's wings (third-person singular simple present earns one's wings, present participle earning one's wings, simple past and past participle earned one's wings or earnt one's wings)
- To prove one's worth or merit.
Synonyms
- earn one's stripes
- get one's wings
Anagrams
- Norwegianness