first things first

Idioms

The most important task gets priority, as in I very much wanted to see that movie, but first things first—the paper's due tomorrow. This adage was first recorded in 1545.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

First things first, Dad always said.

From Literature

“First things first, don’t ever invest based on who wins the Super Bowl, what will happen at halftime, or the coin toss, or how bad the refs will be,” said Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, in a note.

From Barron's

“Simon, I am overjoyed to see you, and eager to know how you are. I am also curious about that costume you have on! But first things first: Have you located Madame Ionesco? Is she nearby? Does she know how to undo the curse?”

From Literature

However, as both Agatha Swanburne and her great-granddaughter were fond of saying, “First things first.”

From Literature

The task of removing the family curse remained in the spooky hands of Madame Ionesco, but first things first.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023