actual combat; real battle; active service
Refers to real fighting or combat situations, as opposed to training, exercises, or simulations. Often used in military, martial arts, and competitive contexts to emphasize practical experience.
He is a soldier with extensive combat experience.
This game has a tension that feels like real combat.
He still has little experience in actual combat.
It's hard to use this technique in actual combat.
The new fighter jet was finally deployed into actual combat.
We practiced in a format that simulated actual combat.