first off

Idioms and Phrases

From the start, immediately. For example, He said to wash the car first off , or Why wasn't she told first off? [ Colloquial ; late 1800s] Also see under first and foremost ; first thing .

Example Sentences

First-off we thought 'twas Lazarus coming back, but pretty soon we see 'twas a considerable smaller boat than his.

From Project Gutenberg

I sure did ride fast to locate you, but your daddy wanted me to be sure to tell you, first-off, not to git skeered.

From Project Gutenberg

But Stern, first-off, had wrenched a marble slab from the stairway.

From Project Gutenberg