Showing results for on a first-name basis. Search instead for on an irregular basis.

on a first-name basis

Idioms

Quite familiar and friendly, as in Practically all the guests were on a first-name basis. This idiom alludes to the fact that using a person's given name betokens familiarity. [Second half of 1900s]

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.

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on a first-name basis

He was quickly on a first-name basis with Paul Rudolph, the intimidating head of the school, and the influential art historian Vincent Scully.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

Tom Girardi was on a first-name basis with senators from California to North Carolina.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2024

Murray hated flying and he hated New York, yet every big-name mixologist in the East Village seemed to know him on a first-name basis.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2023

Locals are on a first-name basis with significant nearby fires, and they become familiar conversational touchstones.

From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2023

He and Traynor were now on a first-name basis.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

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