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REFERENCE

first come, first served

idiom
Meaning

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


Examples
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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  2. 02

    blink first

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

  3. 03

    blow to kingdom come

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

  4. 04

    cast the first stone

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

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

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

  6. 06

    come a cropper

    To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.

  7. 07

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  8. 08

    come again

    A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

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