first off the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

"first off the mark" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is the quickest to start or respond in a situation. Example: "In the race, she was first off the mark and maintained her lead throughout." Alternative expressions include "first to respond" and "quickest out of the gate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Himmler was first off the mark.

The New York Times - Books

Giles Helding was first off the mark: "Superiority complex?

The Guardian - Sport

First off the mark was Egon Schiele, who painted himself and his close friends.

The Economist

Though Whittle was first off the mark, the Germans advanced their programs with persistence and ingenuity.

Britannica

First off the mark, a fortnight ago, were German tenor Jonas Kaufmann and pianist Helmut Deutsch.

The Guardian - Music

First off the mark is Performers of Westchester, which presents recitals in private homes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

First off, the ellipsis is the ad punctuation mark of the moron every good copywriter knows this.

Vice

So why are offenses consistently correct on third down but off the mark on first and second downs?

The Washington Post

First off, it marks the first time we have heard Star Wars' Max von Sydow in the show, who is taking over as the Three-Eyed Raven.

Independent

The relay team's record clipped 0.24 seconds off the mark Sweden set at the same meet.

The New York Times - Sports

Bak slashed nearly 15 seconds off the mark of 9 40.20 set by Cristina Iloc-Casandra of Romania last Aug.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in journalistic writing to highlight which entity was the first to comment on or react to breaking news.

Common error

Do not confuse "first off the mark" with the simple phrase "off the mark". While the former refers to speed and being the first to start, "off the mark" on its own usually means something is inaccurate or incorrect. For example, 'His prediction was off the mark' implies he was wrong, not that he was fast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first off the mark" functions as an adjective phrase or adverbial idiom. It typically follows a linking verb like 'be' to describe a subject's speed or initiative. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote the leader in a sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first off the mark" is a robust and sophisticated idiom used to describe being the earliest to act or respond in a given situation. With 26 high-quality examples identified by Ludwig, it is clear that this expression is a staple of professional journalism and formal reporting. It effectively communicates a sense of competitive advantage and promptness. While it is widely accepted as grammatically correct and stylistically sharp, writers should be careful not to confuse it with the similar-sounding "off the mark", which denotes inaccuracy. Overall, using "first off the mark" adds a dynamic, energetic quality to descriptions of speed and leadership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quickest out of the gate

Uses a horse racing metaphor to emphasize the speed of the initial start.

first out of the blocks

Refers to sprinting blocks, suggesting an athletic or high-energy beginning.

quickest to respond

A more literal and descriptive alternative that lacks the idiomatic flair.

first to the punch

Implies beating an opponent to a specific action or advantage.

earliest to react

Neutral and precise, often used in technical or analytical reporting.

get a head start

Focuses on the advantage gained by beginning earlier than others.

lead the charge

Suggests not just being first, but also taking a leadership role in an initiative.

take the initiative

More formal and emphasizes the decision-making aspect of being first.

early adopter

Specific to technology or trends where someone starts using a product before others.

set the pace

Implies that being first has established the speed for everyone else to follow.

FAQs

How to use "first off the mark" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe speed in a response, such as: "When the new regulations were announced, our company was "first off the mark" to implement changes."

What can I say instead of "first off the mark"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "quickest out of the gate", "first to respond", or "quickest off the blocks".

Is "first off the mark" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for business contexts, especially when discussing market competition. However, for a more literal tone, you might choose "the first to initiate".

What's the difference between "first off the mark" and "off the mark"?

The phrase "first off the mark" refers to being the fastest to start, whereas "off the mark" usually means being inaccurate or wrong.