“First and Foremost” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 12, 2024 by Liam Daniel

“First and foremost” is a popular idiom that has been used for hundreds of years to clearly convey priorities or emphasize the most important point. In this reference, you will learn what “first and foremost” means, discover examples of its use, and explore alternative ways to express the same idea.

“First and Foremost” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “first and foremost” is used to emphasize the most important point or priority in a discussion or situation. It signifies that the item or idea being introduced is the primary consideration, often preceding other points that may follow.
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“First and Foremost” Meaning

The phrase “first and foremost” is used to emphasize the most important point or priority in a discussion. It indicates that something should be considered above all other factors or that it is the primary concern.

Examples:

  • “First and foremost, we need to ensure everyone’s safety before proceeding with the project.”
  • “In this discussion, first and foremost, we must address the budget issues.”

Origin of This Idiomatic Expression

The idiomatic expression “first and foremost” has its roots in Middle English, deriving from the Old English words “foremost,” which means “first in place, order, or importance,” and “first,” which signifies the primary position or priority.

Historical Context:

  • The term “foremost” can be traced back to the Old English “foran,” meaning “before,” combined with “most,” indicating a superlative degree.
  • The use of “first” in combination with “foremost” emphasizes the idea of something being not only first in sequence but also first in importance.

The phrase has been used since at least the 14th century, appearing in various forms in literature and speech to denote priority and significance. Its continued use in modern English reflects its clarity and effectiveness in highlighting the primary focus in discussions or arguments.

Usage of “First and Foremost”

  • In a discussion about priorities:

“First and foremost, we need to ensure the safety of all participants before discussing any other aspects of the event.”

  • When outlining key points:

“First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to this project.”

  • In a personal statement:

“As a teacher, my responsibility is first and foremost to my students and their learning.”

  • In a business context:

“First and foremost, our goal is to provide excellent customer service, as it directly impacts our reputation.”

Related Terms to “First and Foremost”

Here are some related terms and phrases to “first and foremost” that convey similar meanings of priority or emphasis:

  • Primarily – indicating the main or most important reason.
  • Above all – emphasizing that something is more important than anything else.
  • First of all – used to introduce the first point in a list or argument.
  • Most importantly – highlighting the most significant point.
  • In the first place – referring to the initial or primary consideration.
  • Chiefly – indicating the main or most important aspect.
  • To begin with – introducing the first point in a discussion.
  • Fundamentally – addressing the basic or essential aspects of a matter.
  • Essentially – indicating the core or most important part of something.
  • At the forefront – emphasizing something that is leading or most important in a situation.

Other Ways to Say “First and Foremost”

There are many other ways to say “first and foremost” and convey the same meaning. For example, you could say “primarily,” “this is more important than” or “this takes precedence over everything else.”

List of “First and Foremost” synonyms:

  • Primarily
  • First of all
  • Above all
  • Firstly
  • Mainly
  • Principally
  • Particularly
  • This is more important than
  • Mostly
  • First
  • Most importantly
  • First ever
  • Primary
  • This takes precedence over everything else
  • First and principal
  • At first
  • First and most important
  •  

“First and Foremost” Examples

Examples in Statements

A football player talking to a reporter after losing a game.

  • “First and foremost, we need to work on our passing game for next time.”

A passionate woman standing to deliver a speech a rally for the environment.

  • “First and foremost, we must accept that global warming is a real threat and take the necessary steps to heal our environment.”

Examples in Conversation

A conversation between a mother and father.

  • Mother: I can’t believe that Johnny took the car out today without permission and ended up in an accident.
  • Father: I know, but he is a kid and kids make mistakes.
  • Mother: Well, what matters first and foremost is that he is okay, but as soon as he gets home he is grounded for a month!

A conversation between a boss and employee.

  • Employee: I don’t know how I managed to trip and fall down the stairs, but it could have been worse.
  • Boss: All that matters first and foremost is that you are not seriously injured and that no one else was hurt in the process.
  • Employee: Yes, the only thing hurt for me is my pride.

Other examples:

  • He does a bit of writing, but first and foremost he’s a teacher.
  • First and foremost, Borland have taken the Windows interface and used it to good advantage.
  • First and foremost, this involved a whole battery of controls over production and consumption.

Learn more with Common English Idioms Frequently Used in Daily English Conversations

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