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Region: General | Usage example: Tickets are sold first come, first served.

First come, first served

Meaning

Those who arrive earliest get served before others.

Usage

Used to describe prioritization based on timing.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Service line policy common in markets.

Used since the 19th century in customer service.

Related Idioms

Cast the first stone

Be the first to criticize, only if you are faultless.

Easy come, easy go

Things gained quickly can be lost just as fast

First world problems

Trivial complaints in affluent societies

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.