first things first

Idioms  

1. The most important task gets priority, as in I very much wanted to see that movie, but first things first—the paper's due tomorrow. This adage was first recorded in 1545.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first things first

But first things first: What the heck is a three-part Berlusconi biography doing on ESPN?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2025

Melvoin said that’s an admirable strategy, but first things first.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2025

For me, being one of the co-community members and founders of Black Pride Colorado I love community, first things first.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2024

And, first things first, thank you for doing this.

From New York Times ● Apr. 3, 2024

But first things first: Sancho went to the stables to take care of his donkey.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios