WIN ONE'S SPURS

{v. phr.} 1. 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./ 2. 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./