IN THE FIRST PLACE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does in the first place mean? 

• IN THE FIRST PLACE (adverb)
  The adverb IN THE FIRST PLACE has 2 senses:

1. before now

2. of primary import

  Familiarity information: IN THE FIRST PLACE used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IN THE FIRST PLACE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Before now

Synonyms:

earlier; in the beginning; in the first place; originally; to begin with

Context example:

why didn't you tell me in the first place?

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of primary import

Synonyms:

in the first place; primarily

Context example:

it was in the first place a local matter

 Context examples 

In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your room.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“May I ask, in the first place, Mr. McFarlane, how it is that you are still at liberty, since there appears to be enough evidence to justify your arrest?”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yet must we be satisfied; in the first place because we have to be—no other means is at our control—and secondly, because, after all, these things—tradition and superstition—are everything.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He said he didn't care about mine, it wasn't the fashionable color, and he never paid much for it in the first place.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In the first place he was very suspicious of them.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

In the first place, why did he take them?

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In the first place, the little gallipot of a boat that we were in was gravely overloaded.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Good,” said the soldier; “then in the first place help me out of this well.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

It's important to remember that adults who are obese or overweight are at greater risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol in the first place.

(Mildly Obese Fare Better after Major Heart Attack, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"Well, in the first place, I don't think my ideal would speak like that," said she.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)