make one's bones
The phrase "make one's bones" originated in criminal circles but has broadened to mean proving oneself in various fields.
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Definition
C2Criminal
(slang, informal)To commit a serious crime, such as murder, to gain respect and membership in a criminal organization.
Example
- He had to make his bones before being accepted into the gang.
C1General
(informal)To establish one's credibility or reputation by achieving significant accomplishments.
Example
- She made her bones in the industry by launching a successful startup.
- He made his bones in politics by winning a difficult election.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "make one's bones":
make one's markwin one's spursin one's bonesmake old bonesmeat on one's boneswork one's way upearn one's keepbreak one's backpay one's duesmake goodmake something ofon the makewet one's beakmake a livingfill one's bootsfind one's legs