first of all

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first of all (not comparable)

1. (sequence, idiomatic) Firstly; before anything else.
   • 1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 1271–1272:

     Be strong, live happie, and love, but first of all / Him whom to love is to obey, and keep / His great command; […]

   • 1997, Tibor Fischer, The Thought Gang, page 185:

     "My dear sir," said Hube in an authoritative manner to the receptionist askancing Thales, "first of all, we aren't tourists. Secondly, this isn't a rat, this is the present embodiment of the spiritual leader of millions of people in India […]

   • 2019, J.R. Roberts, Death in Denver, Speaking Volumes, →ISBN:

     "I must say, I quite enjoy having the best detective in the business, and the fastest gun in the West, on my payroll." "First of all," Clint said tightly, "I'm not the fastest gun in the West, and second, I'm not on your payroll." Royce held up both of his hands. "I didn't mean to offend you, sir […]"

• first, firstly, first up; see also Thesaurus:firstly