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

He was still relatively raw when he travelled to Russia to face Kovalev, a baptism of fire that became the defining early chapter of his career.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

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

From BBC • May 23, 2022

However, the officer himself showed such coolness in this his baptism of fire as to deserve much congratulation upon his individual gallantry.

From The Siege of Mafeking (1900) by Hamilton, J. Angus