Phrase guide

baptism by fire

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A rite of passage through the survival or success of a crisis or ordeal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The new folks really get put through a baptism by fire, to start doing a stressful job with so little training.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the Bible, Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said... "and He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire."