badge of honor

USAGE SUMMARY

"badge of honor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that one is proud of achieving, such as a job promotion or a commendation. For example: "After years of hard work, he finally earned his badge of honor as CEO of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a badge of honor.

The New York Times

Failure is a badge of honor.

The New Yorker

It's a badge of honor".

The New York Times - Style

"It's a badge of honor," he said.

The New York Times

That is a considerable badge of honor.

The New York Times

"For me, that's a badge of honor".

The New York Times

That was the badge of honor".

The New York Times

(Bush turned the refusal into a badge of honor).

The New Yorker

"I wear that as a badge of honor," he added.

The New York Times

"They wore it as a badge of honor".

The New York Times

"It's a badge of honor for these places," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badge of honor" to describe something that is seen as a positive attribute, achievement or a sign of resilience in overcoming adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "badge of honor" sarcastically or in contexts where the described attribute is genuinely negative, as this can lead to misunderstanding and undermine the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badge of honor" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies something that is regarded as a mark of distinction, achievement, or pride. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badge of honor" is a commonly used expression to describe something considered a mark of distinction, achievement, or pride. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. The phrase typically conveys positive sentiment and recognition, often appearing in news and media contexts and occasionally in formal business settings. While it is generally used in a neutral to slightly formal register, caution should be taken to avoid sarcastic or inappropriate uses. The sources confirm that "badge of honor" typically describes something positive that signifies resilience or achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark of distinction

Emphasizes the quality of setting someone or something apart from others.

symbol of pride

Highlights the feeling of satisfaction and self-respect associated with something.

emblem of recognition

Focuses on the acknowledgment and validation received for an achievement.

sign of accomplishment

Directly points to the successful completion of a task or goal.

a testament to their dedication

Indicates that something serves as proof of someone's commitment.

a source of prestige

Highlights the high standing and respect that something brings.

a feather in one's cap

An idiom for an achievement to be proud of.

a symbol of triumph

Suggests victory and overcoming challenges.

distinguishing characteristic

Highlights a trait that sets something apart in a positive way.

a point of pride

Focuses on something that one is particularly proud of.

FAQs

How can I use "badge of honor" in a sentence?

You can use "badge of honor" to describe something that someone is proud of, especially something that signifies achievement or resilience. For example, "Earning that certification was a "badge of honor" for her."

What's a good alternative to "badge of honor"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "mark of distinction", "symbol of pride", or "sign of accomplishment".

Is "badge of honor" formal or informal?

"Badge of honor" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news and media or general conversation. Its appropriateness depends on the specific context and audience.

Can "badge of honor" be used sarcastically?

While typically used positively, "badge of honor" could be used sarcastically to describe something that is ironically considered a point of pride despite being negative. However, this usage can be easily misinterpreted.