first thing's first

A form of first things first — Let's deal with matters of highest priority first; let's deal with matters in logical sequence.

First used 20th c.
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Meanings

phrase
  1. uncommonUncommon spelling of first things firstFirst known use 20th c.
Cite this entry
APA

first thing's first. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20thing's%20first

MLA

“first thing's first.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20thing's%20first. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “first thing's first,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first%20thing's%20first.

Source: first thing's first on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.