first thing

Idioms  

1. Before anything else; without delay. For example, Tom was supposed to call him first thing in the morning. [Late 1500s] Also see under first and foremost; first off.

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Example Sentences

His new hair color — a stark contrast from the vibrant red he’d been rocking for the last four years — is the first thing that stands out about him when he strolls into the Los Angeles Times building on an unusually rainy day in October.

From Los Angeles Times

That is the first thing that I heard.

From Los Angeles Times

The first thing to know is that an annuity requires a test for suitability, which means that both you and the company selling you the product need to make sure that it’s the best financial product for your needs.

From MarketWatch

“That’s the first thing I tell my trainees: This job is not for everyone.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Kyiv resident Tetiana says the first thing she does in the morning is to check her phone to find out the daily schedule for when her power will be switched on.

From BBC