first dibs on
idiom
US, informal
: choice of (something) before anyone else gets to pick
The farm always gives first dibs on its vegetables to local families.
Examples of first dibs on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The University of Illinois Hospital Transplantation Program had first dibs on the kidney for a multi-organ transplant.
—
Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
To get presale information and first dibs on tickets, sign up for Cabello’s mailing list here by Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. GMT.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
Maybe the winner brings a batch of cookies or a bottle of wine to the next event—or gets first dibs on clothing items at next year’s clothing swap get together.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025
The winner will not only claim bragging rights but will have first dibs on lunar resources, especially at the moon's south polar region, where safe, sunlit landing sites are scarce.
—John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first dibs on
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Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
To get presale information and first dibs on tickets, sign up for Cabello’s mailing list here by Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. GMT.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2025
Maybe the winner brings a batch of cookies or a bottle of wine to the next event—or gets first dibs on clothing items at next year’s clothing swap get together.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025
The winner will not only claim bragging rights but will have first dibs on lunar resources, especially at the moon's south polar region, where safe, sunlit landing sites are scarce.
—John Kross, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first dibs on
Cite this Entry
“First dibs on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20dibs%20on. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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