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.

---

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

First things first: the fries.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

First things first: No, liberals aren’t mad that sorority girls post dancing videos online for rush season.

From Salon

“I haven’t seen him fight a full fight, but I like him a lot, I respect him, and I admire him. We’ll see. First things first, right now I’m focused on what’s in front of me,”

From Los Angeles Times