baptism by fire

"Baptism by fire" is a metaphorical phrase that originated from a religious practice of baptism and is commonly used to describe a person's introduction or initiation into a particularly challenging or intense experience or situation. It often refers to a situation where someone is thrown into a difficult or high-pressure environment without much preparation or prior knowledge, forcing them to quickly adapt, learn, and overcome obstacles. The phrase implies that undergoing this trial by fire will lead to a transformation or purification, similar to the process of baptism in religion.