“First Dibs” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 11, 2024 by Liam Daniel

If you have ever heard someone use the term ‘first dibs’ you may have wondered what it meant. In this reference, we are going to look at the meaning of this term and how we can use it in conversation. You’ll also discover various ways to express the phrase and see examples of its use in statements and conversations. Understand when it is most appropriate to use ‘first dibs’ and explore helpful images to guide you.

First Dibs Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • When someone says ‘first dibs’ they are referring to someone being granted first refusal or the first choice of something. It also means that someone is saying that they claim the first right to something.
First Dibs MeaningPin
First Dibs Meaning – Created by 7ESL

First Dibs Meaning

“First dibs” refers to the right to have or choose something before anyone else. It’s an informal phrase often used when someone wants to claim the first choice or priority over something.

Origin of the Idiom

The saying ‘first dibs’ originally came from the early 1900s. It was derived from a children’s game called dibstones. The word ‘dibs’ dates back to the 1700s and meant to claim something, hence the name dibstones, in which players had to call and claim the stones.

Usage of “First Dibs”

Here are examples of how “first dibs” is used:

  1. In casual conversation:
    “If you’re selling that old guitar, I want first dibs!”
  2. In a group setting:
    “She got first dibs on the window seat during the road trip.”
  3. At a party:
    “I call first dibs on the chocolate cake!”
  4. At work:
    “Since I finished the project early, I get first dibs on the new assignment.”

Related Terms to “First Dibs”

  • Priority – The right to be considered or dealt with first.
  • First choice – The option to select something before others.
  • Claim – To assert one’s right to something.
  • Reserve – To set aside something for a person before others can take it.
  • Call it – Informally declaring one’s right to something.
  • Preemptive right – The right to take action or make a claim before others.
  • First pick – Having the privilege of choosing first.
  • Right of way – The right to proceed before others, used metaphorically for getting something first.
  • Exclusive access – The right to something before it’s available to others.
  • First refusal – The right to decline something before it is offered to others.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

There are other ways in which you could express the meaning of the idiomatic phrase ‘first dibs.’

Here are some examples of things you could say.

  • Pick of the litter
  • Have the first choice
  • Top choice
  • First pick
  • First selection

“First Dibs” Examples

Examples in Statements

A person laying claim to something is shown in this example.

  • ‘I’m calling first dibs on the front seat.’

This statement shows someone being given the first choice of something.

  • ‘Sandra has first dibs on the sandwiches as she’s fussy about what she eats.’

Conversation Examples

You might be wondering how the phrase ‘first dibs’ fits into a conversation, so here are some examples of how it might work.

The first conversation shows two people talking about giving someone their first refusal on seating.

  • Person 1: “How many people are coming over for book club?”
  • Person 2: “There’s six altogether but we only have five chairs.”
  • Person 1: “Well, in that case, Emma should have first dibs on where to sit because of her bad hip.”

This conversation shows someone claiming their preferred choice.

  • Person 1: “Ooh look, mom has brought lots of sweets.”
  • Person 2: “I call first dibs on the gummy bears, they’re my favourite.
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