at first chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first chance" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to indicate that something should be done as soon as an opportunity arises. Example: "Please send me the report at first chance so I can review it before the meeting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I am aware that the bed may have cooled just moments before my arrival, and I also know by now to ditch the bedspread at first chance because, as the gossip columnist Cindy Adams once put it with jaunty crassness, "That thing has seen more action than Kim Kardashian".

The New York Times - Travel

At first chance, I ran back to my apartment and grabbed A People's History of the United States and turned to the chapter named The Other Civil War.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I am not recommending you to hire a putz and promote him, but if you saw something in a candidate and things aren't working out at first, chances are they may be really good at something else.

TechCrunch

Rather, Bier is looking at second chances -- at recognizing them, seizing them and appreciating the opportunity to do so.

Huffington Post

Burress is still a pariah, while Michael Vick, Stallworth and Leonard Little, the Rams defensive star who made two pro-bowls since his 1998 drunk driving-related manslaughter conviction, are allowed their fair shakes at second chances.

Huffington Post

We turned in their direction at the first chance and soon arrived at a string of bare bulbs dangling over a barbed wire enclosure.

The New York Times

Those people would flee at the first chance, the refugees said.

The New York Times

The Germans were entirely unprepared for an attack of this scale, and many surrendered at the first chance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So the cars and their drivers stack up behind them, angry and impatient, and rush and maneuver and pass them at the first chance.

The New York Times

Investors who want to pull their money at their first chance, next March, have until Feb. 15 to advise SAC of their intentions.

The New York Times

He chose to bail out the banks, the home builders and Wall Street at the first chance he had.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at first chance" when you want to convey a sense of urgency and opportunism, suggesting that something should be done as soon as the possibility arises. For example, "Contact the client at first chance to schedule a meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "at first chance" in highly formal or professional writing, as it may sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "at the earliest opportunity" or "as soon as possible" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first chance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action should be performed. It specifies the timing of an action, emphasizing immediacy.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at first chance" is a prepositional phrase used as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the need for prompt action when an opportunity arises. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically acceptable but not particularly common, making it a rarer choice compared to alternatives like "as soon as possible" or "at the earliest opportunity". Its usage is mainly confined to news, media, and general contexts, with limited presence in more formal or scientific writing. Therefore, while grammatically sound, consider the context and audience when choosing to use "at first chance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the first opportunity

Similar to the original but slightly more emphatic.

at the earliest opportunity

More formal and emphasizes the timing of the opportunity.

as soon as possible

A common and versatile alternative, focusing on speed.

when the chance arises

Emphasizes the condition of a chance becoming available.

without delay

Emphasizes acting quickly and promptly.

given the first opportunity

Highlights the act of providing the opportunity.

on the first occasion

More formal and stresses a specific instance.

at the drop of a hat

Implies acting immediately and without hesitation.

when the moment is right

Focuses on timing and appropriateness.

at your convenience

Less urgent; defers to the other person's schedule.

FAQs

What does "at first chance" mean?

The phrase "at first chance" means doing something as soon as the opportunity or possibility arises. It implies taking advantage of the earliest available moment to act.

How can I use "at first chance" in a sentence?

You can use "at first chance" to indicate that an action should be taken without delay when the opportunity presents itself. For example, "Please review the document "at first chance" so we can discuss it tomorrow."

Which is more formal, "at first chance" or "as soon as possible"?

"As soon as possible" is generally considered more formal and widely applicable than "at first chance", which can sound somewhat informal. Alternatives such as "at the earliest opportunity" is even more formal.

What are some alternatives to "at first chance"?

Alternatives to "at first chance" include "as soon as possible", "at the earliest opportunity", and "when the chance arises". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.