first things first
1
used to state that there are more important things that one must do or consider before trying to deal with other things
The exact origin of the idiom "first things first" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. There are a few different theories about its origins, but the most likely is that it refers to the importance of prioritizing tasks and doing the most important things first.
- First things first, let's get the fire under control before we worry about anything else.
- I know you're eager to start decorating the new house, but first things first, we need to unpack and get settled in.
- I'm tired of all the distractions and want to get down to brass tacks and focus on first things first.
- Once we get down to the nitty-gritty, we'll see that there are a few different options available to us, but first things first.