baptism of fire

American  

noun

1. spiritual sanctification as a gift of the Holy Ghost.

2. the first time a soldier faces battle.

3. any severe ordeal that tests one's endurance.

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baptism of fire British  

noun

1. a soldier's first experience of battle

2. any initiating ordeal or experience

3. Christianity the penetration of the Holy Ghost into the human spirit to purify, consecrate, and strengthen it, as was believed to have occurred initially at Pentecost

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baptism of fire Idioms  

1. A severe ordeal or test, especially an initial one, as in This audition would be Robert's baptism of fire. This term transfers the original religious rite of baptism, whereby holiness is imparted, to various kinds of ordeal. At first it signified the death of martyrs at the stake, and in 19th-century France it was used for a soldier's first experience of combat. Currently it is used more loosely for any difficult first encounter.

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Etymology

Origin of baptism of fire

First recorded in 1815–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

baptism of fire

It was still a baptism of fire for the 38-year-old, who had never previously managed in the Premier League, after predecessor Eddie Howe stepped down.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Opening Chapter & Page Books in Bristol Arcade in August, the 35-year-old says it has been a "baptism of fire".

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026

Former midfielder Carrick was installed as boss until the end of the season this week and faces a baptism of fire when Manchester City visit on Saturday.

From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 2026

His consecration of suffering was elevated to a sacrament, and called the baptism of fire or of blood.

From Valeria The Martyr of the Catacombs by William Henry Withrow

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