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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first off

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

"We need to tackle that pervasive misogyny in society first off, so we don't reach that stage in the first place."

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 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

Cory was first off his bike and up the porch.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon