in the heat of (the) battle
phrase
: while fighting a battle
soldiers in the heat of battle
—often used figurativelyWhen it comes to devising a game plan or making a key decision in the heat of battle, is there any coach you'd rather have than Bill Belichick?—Brian Baldinger
Cite this Entry
“In the heat of (the) battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20heat%20of%20%28the%29%20battle. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
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