How to Use first thing in a Sentence

first thing

phrase
  • These flowers open first thing on a new day, so they’re called day’s eyes.
    — Jenny Comita, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
  • The first thing is to be sober, sober-minded, in the wake of these tragedies.
    — Adriana Usero, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2023
  • Avoid feeding them first thing in the morning.
    — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The first thing that occurred to us was to buy him some sneakers.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 June 2023
  • Who wants to struggle with a cap first thing in the morning?
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • For most people, that means first thing in the morning.
    — Patricia Weiser, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Most entrepreneurs check their emails first thing in the morning.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
  • Tennesee’s defense is the first thing that jumps out to me for this game.
    — Michael Arinze, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2023
  • Some boys read it first thing in the morning, others saved it for the night.
    — Joyce Carol Oates, Harper's Magazine, 10 July 2023
  • Skipping the app first thing in the morning for a week or two can break the loop.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • And the first thing Paulina’s lawyer told her to do was open a case in court.
    — The Foretold Team, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023
  • Kerry calls Hugo to the bridge first thing in the morning.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The first thing Hank looked for is a steadiness of the studio.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 28 June 2023
  • Screen time would not happen first thing in the morning or right before bed.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The loaves go onto the cart first thing weekend mornings.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • There's nothing better than a fresh cup first thing in the morning.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The resort is quietest first thing in the morning.
    — Bailey Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Of course, the first thing a guide or host wants to know is his client's proficiency.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 10 June 2023
  • In the South, there’s never a bad time for a potluck, even first thing in the morning.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Remove PJs first thing in the morning and hang them up to air out.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • There was no other option than to get to urgent care first thing in the morning.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • What is that person’s attorney going to say first thing out of the box?
    — Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 11 May 2024
  • My routine is a little top-up at the end of the day and a longer charge first thing in the morning.
    — David Phelan, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
  • Jotting down a list first thing in the morning gives you a tangible sense of your goals.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Friends were knocking on your door first thing instead of sending you Snaps.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 July 2026
  • Toss in a load first thing in the morning and then finish up after work or throughout the day.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Typically, wood ducks fly down creeks, or to swamps or beaver ponds first thing in the morning.
    — Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024
  • Take six long, slow breaths first thing in the morning to establish a calm baseline for the day.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
  • This means pumpkin dump cake is best made the day before, or first thing in the morning, serving.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 15 Nov. 2025
  • Pack one to wear for sightseeing first thing in the morning or for sunset cocktails on a windy beach.
    — Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first thing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: