baptism of fire
Harsh first experience
A baptism of fire is a harsh initiation—a first experience that tests someone severely.
The phrase comes from military use, referring to a soldier's first time in combat: Her first day as an ER nurse was a baptism of fire.
It implies surviving difficulty that transforms or hardens the person who endures it.
Vessel for extreme heat
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- tribulationState of great distress
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
challenge · struggle · test · gauntlet · combat · frontline · battlefield · pressure
First public appearance
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- inductionFormal admission process
- commencementAct of starting
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
first experience · rite of passage · threshold · entrance · beginning · orientation · first day · breaking in
crucible
Vessel for extreme heat
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- tribulationState of great distress
adversity · challenge · struggle · test · gauntlet · combat · frontline · battlefield · pressure · crisis
debut
First public appearance
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- inductionFormal admission process
- commencementAct of starting
inauguration · first experience · rite of passage · threshold · entrance · beginning · orientation · first day · breaking in · learning curve
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, take a shot, under the gun
- fire idiomsfan the flames, spread like wildfire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, up in smoke
- ordealsordeal, trial by ordeal, ordeal by water, tribulation, ordeal by combat
- Holiness Movementholiness, sanctification, perfect love, holy living, Wesley
- Holy SpiritHoly Spirit, pneuma, advocate, helper, third person
- phrases about braverylion heart, nerves of steel, no fear, bold as brass, stand your ground
baptism of firesoft landing
Controlled, gradual descent
warm welcome · honeymoon period · soft start · easy ride · walk in the park
baptism of fireeasing in
Gradual introduction to activity
hand-holding · learning the ropes · apprenticeship · training wheels · probationary period
fire, baptism, baptized, baptismal, baptizing, baptisms, baptistery, Anabaptist, baptizer