Synonyms

first off

Idioms

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

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

Play “ready golf”: Stop worrying about who has the honor to hit first off the tee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The UK was first off the blocks, perhaps inevitably.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2025

It feels really relieving because, first off, I didn’t know if I would be able to come before Steve Carell paid for us and stuff, so I’m really grateful that happened.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

Well, I would like to say first off, that science is and should be for absolutely everyone, regardless of your political affiliation.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024

“Here I am, off to see the princess. Me, Miggery Sow, seeing the princess up close and personal-like. And first off, I must cursy because she is the royalty. ”

From "The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread" by Kate DiCamillo

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