trial by fire

1. Law Examination of evidence and applicable law by a competent tribunal to determine the issue of specified charges or claims.

2. 1. The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof: a trial of one's faith.

   2. An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments: a clinical trial of a drug.

3. An effort or attempt: succeeded on the third trial.

4. A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief: "the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).

5. A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing: The child was a trial to his parents.

6. A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.

1. Of, relating to, or used in a trial.

2. Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis: a trial separation.

3. Made or done in the course of a trial or test.

Synonyms: These nouns denote distress or suffering that severely tests resiliency and character: no consolation in their hour of trial; the affliction of a bereaved family; the crucible of revolution; the ordeal of being an innocent murder suspect; a time of relentless tribulation. See Also Synonyms at burden¹.