earn your stripes
URN yor STRYPS
ɜːrn jər straɪpsListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
to prove oneself worthy of recognition, respect, or a position of authority through demonstrated effort, skill, and experience rather than merely assuming entitlement; the phrase originates from military insignia in which stripes on a uniform denote rank earned through service; in professional and social contexts, earning one's stripes means doing the hard work, surviving the difficult early stages, and demonstrating through action rather than words that one is qualified for greater trust and responsibility
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