trial by fire

Idioms and Phrases

A test of one's abilities to perform well under pressure, as in Finishing this buge list of chores in time for the wedding is really a trial by fire . This expression alludes to the medieval practice of determining a person's guilt by having them undergo an ordeal, such as walking barefoot through a fire.

Example Sentences

Joe Alt’s trial by fire in the NFL continues with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett.

From Los Angeles Times

Sharp: Trial by fire, jump in the deep end — it was whatever cliché you want to use.

From Los Angeles Times

Harvick noted as much as he signed off from the Clash, where he and former teammate Bowyer bantered throughout Harvick’s second trial by fire.

From Seattle Times

So I really learned trial by fire.

From Los Angeles Times

She studied acting at Mexico’s National School of Theater Arts and made her debut in 1954 in the play “Trial By Fire.”

From New York Times