Idiom earn your stripesearn (your) stripes to do something to show that you deserve a particular rank or position and have the skills needed for it.She earned her stripes as a junior reporter before becoming education correspondent.
idiomearn your stripesto do something that shows that you deserve your job, position, or rank:Actress Sally Kirkland really earned her stripes in a scene with a tiger for a TV Christmas special.Rushdie became a novelist after earning his stripes as an advertising copywriter.
earn (one's) stripesTo prove that one is deserving of a particular position or designation. I told the recruiter that I earned my stripes as a teacher before moving into administration. earn your stripes If you earn your stripes, you gain enough experience to deserve a particular job or position. Mr. Thaddeus earned his stripes playing for such foreign bands as the London-based Pitiful Souls and Singapore's X-Periments. He has worked hard to earn his stripes as a skilled debater in the House of Assembly. |