first off

Idioms  

1. 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

I’m near the back of the carriage, but if I’m to lose the agent, I must be first off the train.

From Literature

“Um, first off, this is a family heirloom. Second of all, no. Third of all, you all seriously think I would just hand it over to you because you asked nicely?”

From Literature

“But first off, there’s 10 songs. And secondly, there’s huge stretches with almost no breaks, so just the musicians literally having time to turn the page can be challenging.”

From Los Angeles Times

The UK was first off the blocks, perhaps inevitably.

From BBC

Neeson told the magazine, “with Pamela, first off, I’m madly in love with her,” before detailing her work ethic and sense of humor.

From Los Angeles Times