try one's wings
To try out a recently acquired ability.
Marjorie just had her twelfth French lesson and wants to try her wings by speaking with our visitors from Paris.
under one's wing
take under one's wing
Under the care or protection of.
Helen took the new puppy under her wing.
The boys stopped teasing the new student when Bill took him under his wing.
way the wind blows
how the wind blows
The direction or course something may go; how things are; what may happen.
Most senators find put which way the wind blows in their home state before voting on bills in Congress.
win hands down
To win conclusively and without external help.
The opposition was so weak that Dan won the election hands down.
win in a walk
win in a breeze
To win very easily; win without having to try hard.
Joe ran for class president and won in a walk.
Our team won the game in a breeze.
win one's spurs
In old times, to be named a knight with the right to wear little sharp spikes on your heels.
A young squire won his spurs in battle.
To win fame or honor.
The young lieutenant won his spurs by leading an attack on enemy machine guns.
Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young.
He has yet to win his spurs as a big league ball player.
win out
To win after a rather protracted struggle.
The lawsuit lasted a long time, but we finally won out.
win over
To convert to one's position or point of view.
The Democrats offered him a high-level executive position and thus way won him over to their side.