What Does "First Come, First Served" Mean?
"First come, first served" is an English idiom. It means "those who are first to arrive or apply will be the first to get served or receive something."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "first come, first served" used in a sentence:- Tickets to the concert are on a first come, first served basis.
- We have a limited supply, so it's first come, first served.
- They opened the gates and let shoppers in on a first come, first served basis.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "First Come, First Served" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
A Quick Test
You now know what "first come, first served" means, but are you good at English idioms? Let's see!
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