178 Feather in one’s cap

(PW) proud achievement

His speech went well at the corporate meeting. It was a feather in his cap.

(free) An act or deed to one's credit; a distinctive achievement

(your)

An act or deed to one's credit; a distinctive achievement. For example, Getting all three factions to the bargaining table would be a feather in his cap. This expression alludes to the practice of putting a feather on a soldier's cap for every enemy he kills, an early practice of some Native American tribes and many other peoples. [Early 1600s]

(GoEnglish)

what happened makes one feel pround and look good to others ...