baptism of fire

noun phrase

variants or chiefly US baptism by fire

Synonyms of baptism of fire next

: an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal

especially : a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire

: a spiritual baptism by a gift of the Holy Spirit

—often used in allusion to Acts 2:3–4; Matthew 3:11 (Revised Standard Version)

Examples of baptism of fire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In the world of academia, the pursuit of tenure is a baptism of fire to prove one’s research significance and serves as a rite of passage marking a major milestone in one’s career. —

Ellen Choi, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Some of that can be attributed to young players such as Jordan Beck, Hunter Goodman and Aaron Schunk getting their baptism of fire against big-league pitchers. —

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024 More than that, a baptism of fire gave Foley the confidence to go forward with his new passion. —

Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 30 July 2023 The Bradley vehicles recently saw a brutal baptism of fire in Ukrainian service assaulting a Russian minefield. —

Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 5 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of baptism of fire was in 1625

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Style

“Baptism of fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baptism%20of%20fire. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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