in the first place
prep. phr..prep. phr.. you use this to talk about the beginning of a situation or the original reason for something. it often helps you explain why a problem started or why a choice was made.
prep. phr.. an adverbial phrase used to refer to the initial stage of a situation or to introduce the primary reason in an argument. it frequently appears at the end of a clause to express regret or criticism regarding a prior decision.
I should never have bought this car in the first place.
If you didn't like the job, why did you apply for it in the first place?
The project failed not because of recent budget cuts, but because the original goals were poorly defined in the first place.
usually placed at the end of a sentence or clause to emphasize a fundamental reason or origin.
this phrase is often used in rhetorical questions or negative statements to highlight a mistake made at the beginning of a process.
at the first placein the first placethe phrase always uses the preposition 'in', never 'at' or 'on'.