earning stripes
Earning your stripes is when you go from nobody to the main event, like when you're the best at something and everyone else just sits there and watches you shine.
My little brother earned his stripes when he beat up the whole soccer team and became the star player.
I earned my stripes when I won the spelling bee and the principal cried like a baby.
My dog earned his stripes when he ate my mom’s favorite shoes and no one dared to touch him.