English Reference
Idiom idiom

the first thing


the very first action you take in a situation or at the start of your day.


SIMPLE

“I drink coffee as the first thing every morning.”

CONTEXTUAL

“The first thing I do when I arrive at the office is check my emails.”

COMPLEX

“As the first thing upon waking, she would sit by the window to watch the sunrise and plan her day.”

Last updated April 22, 2026