en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "First come, first served"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 21/10/2024, 09:35
English.me team member

What does it mean?

First come, first served

The phrase "First come, first served" means that people will receive a service or benefit in the order that they arrive or request it. Those who arrive earlier are given priority over those who come later.

Tone

Neutral and informative

Origin

The phrase dates back to the 16th century and has been used in various contexts to describe a method of handling demand from the earliest customers or participants first.

Examples of usage

  • The tickets to the event are distributed on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to arrive early.
  • The hotel operates on a first come, first served policy, so there's no guarantee of a room if you arrive late.
  • Parking is limited at the stadium, and spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Recommended posts in Phrases

One man's trash is another man's treasure

One man's trash is another man's treasure

The phrase means that something that one person considers worthless ... Learn more →

Faith will move mountains

Faith will move mountains

The phrase "Faith will move mountains" means that having strong ... Learn more →

The longest journey starts with a single step

The longest journey starts with a single step

This phrase means that no matter how big or daunting ... Learn more →

It is no use crying over spilt milk

It is no use crying over spilt milk

The phrase means that there's no point in getting upset ... Learn more →