# come first

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/come-first
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To win first place in a competition.

## Examples

- She practiced hard and managed to come first in the race.
- After months of intense training, the young athlete was thrilled to come first in the regional swimming competition.
- Despite the fierce competition from more experienced rivals, the underdog runner surged ahead in the final lap to come first in the national championship.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.