in the first place
idiom
1
—used at the end of a sentence to indicate what was true or what should have been done at the beginning of a situation
We should never have gone there in the first place.
I didn't care much for the job in the first place.
2
—used when listing the most important parts of something or the most important reasons for something
I'm not going to tell you because, in the first place, it's none of your business, and in the second place, you would tell everyone else.
Examples of in the first place in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The providers that would benefit from the state support — none affiliated with Hartford Healthcare — could help prevent many of the injuries the nurses see in the first place, health care workers said.
—
Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025
In recent years, the courts have been seen to step in and prevent governments deporting people, or stopping them entering the EU in the first place, typically on human rights or legal grounds.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
To make matters worse, this is also when Ellie finds out that Jesse voted against sending a crew to Seattle in the first place.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 May 2025
But how did the bear enter the home in the first place?
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first place
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Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025
In recent years, the courts have been seen to step in and prevent governments deporting people, or stopping them entering the EU in the first place, typically on human rights or legal grounds.
—Frey Lindsay, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
To make matters worse, this is also when Ellie finds out that Jesse voted against sending a crew to Seattle in the first place.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 May 2025
But how did the bear enter the home in the first place?
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the first place
Cite this Entry
“In the first place.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20first%20place. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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