the early bird gets the worm

idiom

Meaning

The first people who arrive will get the best stuff

Origin

first recorded 17th c.

English proverb recorded in William Camden's Remaines (1605) and John Ray's proverb collection (1670).

Examples

SIMPLE

I wake up at five because the early bird gets the worm.

CONTEXTUAL

If you want the best seats for the concert, get there early since the early bird gets the worm.

COMPLEX

While others slept, the ambitious entrepreneur secured the contract, proving once again that the early bird gets the worm in a competitive market.

Last updated June 7, 2026