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Glite Dictionary
battle-tested skill

battle-tested skill

5.9
A skill that works well after being used in hard situations
  • noun
translation icon : habilidad probada en batalla
  • The company's battle-tested skills were evident in how efficiently they handled the unexpected problems.

Examples

  • Her battle-tested skills made her a valuable asset during the crisis.

  • Relying on his battle-tested skills, he navigated the negotiation with confidence.

  • Her battle-tested skill in negotiation helped close the deal.

  • Many veterans possess battle-tested skills that are invaluable in civilian jobs.

  • After years of competition, her battle-tested skill in negotiation impressed the entire team.

  • The chef showcased his battle-tested skill by creating a complex dish under extreme time pressure.

  • His battle-tested skill as an athlete was evident when he performed exceptionally during the championship.

Antonyms

theoretical
133 6.3

Relating to ideas and basic rules rather than practical use

unaccomplished
1 4.8

Has little skill or experience in a particular activity

How Proven

battle-tested skill
5.9
practiced
3.7
trained
1.9

Surface Forms

battle-tested skill singular
battle-tested skills plural

Morphology

battle-tested + skill

The adjective 'battle-tested' is transparently built from 'battle' + 'tested'—literally 'tested in battle'—so a learner who knows 'battle' and 'test' can infer it means proven under demanding or adversarial conditions. Combined with 'skill', the phrase clearly denotes a skill shown to work in tough situations; this compositional, metaphorical extension is common cross-linguistically and thus accessible to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The phrase battle-tested skill comes from the image of soldiers or weapons proven in real battles, so they were 'tested' by danger. So a battle-tested skill means a skill that is proven to work well in hard, real situations.