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)

1. To prove one's worth or merit.

Synonyms

• earn one's stripes
• get one's wings

Anagrams

• Norwegianness