EuropeGermanyWorldwide (historical)neutralhistorical
- A nickname for Manfred von Richthofen (1892–1918), the German World War I fighter ace famed for flying a red-painted aircraft and credited with numerous aerial victories.
- The historical figure celebrated as an exceptionally skilled fighter pilot during the First World War.
Worldwideinformalfigurative
- A metaphorical or honorific title applied to a person who is dominant, highly skilled, or preeminent in a particular field (especially in combat, competition, or sports).
- A term used to describe an expert or standout performer, often implying aerial or combative prowess by analogy.
USUKWorldwideinformalpopular culture
- A fictional adversary frequently featured in popular culture, notably as the airborne nemesis in the Snoopy 'World War I flying ace' fantasies.
- A name used in fictional or entertainment contexts to evoke the image of a famous fighter pilot.
USinformalcommercial
- A brand name used commercially (for example, a brand of frozen pizza), employed as a proper noun rather than an idiom.