ace vs pass with flying colors

ace is a noun but pass with flying colors is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ace	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
pass with flying colors	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ace and pass with flying colors are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of ace include breeze through, nail, sail through, sweep through.

ace (noun)	pass with flying colors (noun)
a serve that the receiver is unable to reach
one of four playing cards in a deck having a single pip on its face
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

ace (adjective)	pass with flying colors (adjective)
of the highest quality