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Region: General | Usage example: Finishing the marathon was a feather in his cap after years of training.

Feather in one's cap

Meaning

A noteworthy achievement to be proud of.

Usage

Mentioned when praising someone's resume or accomplishments.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Warriors once added feathers to headgear to mark victories.

Travel journals from the 1600s described the practice among Native Americans and Europeans.

Related Idioms

Feather one's nest

Enrich oneself, often at someone else's expense.

Feather in your cap

An achievement to be proud of.

Feather your nest

Enrich oneself, often at others' expense.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.