first thing first

USAGE SUMMARY

"first thing first" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when presenting a priority or order of tasks that need to be completed. For example, "First thing first, let's make sure we have all the supplies for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

First thing first … from an expansion standpoint, it has already had that desired effect.

The New York Times

First thing first: my AdWords campaign, as it is configured today, works very, very well.

The New York Times

Well, all right, I was going to get up there tomorrow, first thing, first time I could get a plane out of here".

The New Yorker

First thing first: you need the right numbers.

TechCrunch

First thing first though: Mighty Bear is working to launch its first title, which Davis said will be an MMORPG.

TechCrunch

First thing first: Hilcorp needs to shut off the pipeline that's leaking uncontrolled into Cook Inlet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

First things first.

The New York Times

First things first, though.

The New York Times - Books

But first things first.

The New York Times

OK, first things first.

The New York Times

First things first: The name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first thing first" to clearly indicate the initial step in a process or the most important action to take before anything else.

Common error

Avoid using "first thing first" in highly formal or academic writing where a more sophisticated or precise phrase may be preferred. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "initially" or "the primary step".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first thing first" serves as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a prioritized action or task. It signals the initial step that should be addressed before proceeding with anything else. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first thing first" is an idiomatic expression used to emphasize the importance of addressing an initial step before moving on to other tasks. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, it's more suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts, with usage being most prevalent in News & Media and Wiki content. When seeking more formal alternatives, options like "initially" or "the primary step" might be more appropriate. The phrase serves to establish a clear order of operations, ensuring efficiency and providing direction by highlighting what needs to be done at the beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

priority one

Emphasizes the absolute highest importance of something.

the first order of business

Highlights the most important task to handle initially.

to begin with

Introduces the initial step or consideration.

first off

An informal way to indicate the first action or point.

initially

Highlights the starting point of a process or action.

as a starting point

Suggests a foundation or initial step for further actions.

the primary step

Focuses on the most important action to take at the beginning.

foremost

Emphasizes importance and precedence.

in the beginning

Highlights the commencement of a task or process.

at the outset

Refers to the very start or commencement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "first thing first" in a sentence?

You can use "first thing first" to introduce the most important or initial action. For example, "First thing first, let's gather all the necessary materials." or "First thing first, we need to define the project scope."

What can I say instead of "first thing first"?

You can use alternatives like "priority one", "to begin with", or "initially" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "first thing first"?

It is appropriate to use "first thing first" when you want to emphasize the correct order of actions, especially when the initial step is critical for success. It's suitable for both informal and semi-formal situations.

Is "first things first" more correct than "first thing first"?

Both "first things first" and "first thing first" are acceptable, but "first things first" is more common. "First thing first" can be used to emphasize a single, specific action that must be prioritized. See more on the usage of "first things first".