baptism of fire

NOUN

trying experience

Synonyms

WEAK

hazing initiation martyrdom ordeal rite of passage rude introduction test of courage trial by fire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Balfe: It was a bit of a baptism of fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Michael Carrick looked to have been handed a baptism of fire with Manchester City and Arsenal dished up in the first two games of his reign.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

"We kicked ourselves out, dusted ourselves off and went back to the top and off we went again. It was an absolute baptism of fire."

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2024

Prime Minister Borne, a born technocrat rather than a born politician, is having a baptism of fire.

From BBC • May 23, 2022

They guyed us without measure until the crucial test, the "baptism of fire," had been passed.

From War from the Inside The Story of the 132nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the War for the Suppression of the Rebellion, 1862-1863 by Hitchcock, Frederick L. (Frederick Lyman)