in the first place

adverb
UK: /ɪn ðə ˌfɜːst ˈpleɪs/
US: /ɪn ðə ˌfɜːrst ˈpleɪs/

  1. Used to give the first and most important reason for something.

    1. I didn't want to go in the first place. [ ] [ ]
    2. We shouldn't have hired him in the first place, given his poor references. [ ] [ ]

  2. Used to indicate the beginning of a series of points or events.

    1. In the first place, it's too expensive. [ ] [ ]
    2. In the first place, I was not invited, and, in the second place, I wouldn't have gone. [ ] [ ]

  3. Used to emphasize that something should not have happened or been done.

    1. He should not have been driving in the first place. [ ] [ ]
    2. You shouldn't have borrowed my car in the first place without asking me. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

initially originally
in the first place idiom

  1. Initially; from the beginning.

    1. I liked it in the first place. [ ] [ ]
    2. It was her idea in the first place, so I don't know why she's complaining. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "in the first place" in English means: Used to give the first and most important reason for something., Used to indicate the beginning of a series of points or events., Used to emphasize that something should not have happened or been done..

The phonetic transcription of "in the first place" is /ɪn ðə ˌfɜːst ˈpleɪs/ in British English and /ɪn ðə ˌfɜːrst ˈpleɪs/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "in the first place": initially, originally.

Example usage of "in the first place": "I didn't want to go in the first place.". More examples on the page.