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
These unheralded accomplishments reflect why Robert Isom was picked as the successor to his legendary predecessor, Doug Parker, in the first place.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2026
Calling plays for the Lions as their defensive coordinator for four seasons (2021-24) helped Glenn get the Jets coaching job in the first place.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Few would dispute that Marseille are one of the most challenging clubs in Europe to manage, with the passion and fervour that so attracted De Zerbi in the first place also making for a tough working environment.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
An accidental rear-end collision is what brings Davis and Maya together in the first place—and their ensuing relationship, though not without its bumps, sends the story on some of its more pleasurable curves.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in the first place
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 16 Feb. 2026
Calling plays for the Lions as their defensive coordinator for four seasons (2021-24) helped Glenn get the Jets coaching job in the first place.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Few would dispute that Marseille are one of the most challenging clubs in Europe to manage, with the passion and fervour that so attracted De Zerbi in the first place also making for a tough working environment.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
An accidental rear-end collision is what brings Davis and Maya together in the first place—and their ensuing relationship, though not without its bumps, sends the story on some of its more pleasurable curves.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
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 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
