baptism of fire

English

Noun

baptism of fire (plural baptisms of fire)

1. The first experience of a severe ordeal, especially a first experience of military combat

   Having to deal with a bomb scare on his first day was a real baptism of fire for John.

Translations

the first experience of a severe ordeal

Finnish: tulikaste (fi) French: baptême du feu (fr) m. German: Feuertaufe Italian: battesimo del fuoco (it)

Portuguese: batismo de fogo, batismo de sangre Russian: боевое крещение (battle baptism) Spanish: bautismo de fuego (es)

Related terms

• throw in the deep end
• acid test