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

This angry, green-skinned figure was owned by a child whose mother knew someone who worked for Denys Fisher, and purchased one of the first off the production line.

From BBC • Jul. 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

But, on Shohei Ohtani’s first off day as a Dodger, the discourse Wednesday centered on the one big struggle of his 2024 season — a weakness that had cropped up once again the night before.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2024

“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 "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

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