ENGLISH
REFERENCE

on a first-name basis

idiom
Meaning

Having enough familiarity with another person to call them by their first name, as opposed to their surname.


Examples
SIMPLE

I am on a first-name basis with my neighbor.

CONTEXTUAL

After working together for a year, we are finally on a first-name basis with our boss.

COMPLEX

Although the professor initially maintained a formal distance, he eventually invited his students to be on a first-name basis with him during office hours.

Anchors to

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