first of all

Idioms and Phrases

see first and foremost .

Example Sentences

He referred to "first of all" firing the US' top military officer, Gen Charles "CQ" Brown Jr, saying people involved in diversity, equality or inclusion policies had "got to go".

From BBC

“Why am I for Trump? Because I’m an American first of all,” said Garcia, 70, whose great-grandparents emigrated from Mexico to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

"Dear Founding Fathers, first of all, about that more perfect union thing. We're not quite there yet, but we're working on it."

From Salon

“Listen, I think, first of all, he clarified his comments, but let me be clear: I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

“We first of all localise it - where is this taking place?”

From BBC

Related Words

• basically
• chiefly
• first and foremost
• generally
• importantly
• largely
• mostly
• notably
• particularly
• predominantly