English 
español 
française 
italiano 
deutsche 
日本語 
polski 
česky 
svenska 
Türkçe 
Nederlands 
Explaining “First things first”
Anwar Kareem 27/10/2024, 11:04English.me team member
What does it mean?
The phrase "First things first" means prioritizing the most important tasks or issues before handling others. It emphasizes the need to address fundamental or critical matters before moving on to secondary ones.
Tone
The tone of the phrase is generally pragmatic and straightforward, often used to convey a sense of practicality and efficiency.
Origin
The phrase "First things first" has been used in English since at least the 16th century, but it was popularized in modern times by Stephen Covey in his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
Examples of usage
- First things first, let's make sure we have all the necessary supplies before starting the project.
- I know you want to have fun, but first things first, you must finish your homework.
- First things first: we need to find a place to stay for the night.
Recommended posts in 
Phrases
United we stand, divided we fall
The phrase "United we stand, divided we fall" emphasizes the ... Learn more →
Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom
The phrase means that doubt or questioning is the starting ... Learn more →
The customer is always right
The phrase "The customer is always right" is a business ... Learn more →
It goes without saying
The phrase "It goes without saying" is used to indicate ... Learn more →