English Reference
Idiom idiom

first come, first served


One will be dealt with in the order in which one arrives.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Tickets are first come, first served.

CONTEXTUAL

We have limited seats for the event, so it is first come, first served.

COMPLEX

The charity distributed the remaining supplies on a first come, first served basis to the long line of people waiting outside.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    blink first

    To be the first party in some situation to give in or back down.

  4. 04

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  5. 05

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  6. 06

    cast the first stone

    To act self-righteously in accusing another person, believing oneself to be blameless.

  7. 07

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  8. 08

    come a cropper

    To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.

Last updated August 10, 2026