on a first-name basis
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
He was soon on a first-name basis with then-Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 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
She’s also on a first-name basis with a local plumber, who’s learning to deal with my pushy roots.
From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
