Japan surpassing
n.— «These days, the phrase floating around to characterize the world’s second largest economy is “Japan surpassing”—praise for a country that has far exceeded American expectations as a reliable ally standing behind U.S. efforts in Iraq.» —“Japan Exceeds U.S. Expectations in Iraq” by Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Ga.) May 16, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The phrase fight the good fight, which means to “try one’s best” and “attempt to do what’s right” is inspired second of the epistles to Timothy attributed to the apostle Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I...
Eric often drives past cotton fields near his home in Tucson, Arizona, which has him wondering about the phrase He’s walking in tall cotton, meaning “Things are going well.” Variants include to be in tall cotton and to walk in high...