| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
| firm market |
strong market, seller's market
|
A firm market in the automotive industry is good
for the American economy.
|
| first and foremost |
first and most important, firstly
|
The speaker began by saying, "First and foremost... ."
|
| first class |
high quality, excellent
|
Pam's meals are first class. She's an excellent cook.
|
| first come, first served |
whoever comes first gets served first
|
If tickets are selling on a first-come basis, let's buy ours now.
|
| first crack at |
first turn, first chance to do it
|
I want first crack at solving the problem. I want to try first.
|
| first dibs |
first person to use it, first chance to use it
|
When we get to the motel, I get first dibs on the shower.
|
| first down/first and ten |
first try to gain ten yards (in football)
|
The Lions have a first down on their own 35-yard line.
|
| first hand |
being there to see or hear it, in person
|
I want to see the Pantheon first hand. I want to see its dome.
|
| first light |
(See at first light)
|
|
| first off |
first on the list, the first thing to do
|
First off, we should define the problem. Then we can solve it.
|