Meaning & use
first come first serve
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
A rule that people or requests are dealt with in the order they arrive, with no priority given to anyone.
Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, often on a sign or after on a: on a first-come, first-served basis.
Patterns
- on a first come, first served basis
Seats are first come, first served, so arrive early.
The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking at the beach is first come, first served.
Common combinations
- on a first-come, first-served basis
- Registration works on a first-come, first-served basis.
- first come, first served policy
- The shop has a first come, first served policy.
- seating is first come
- Seating is first come, first served.
- first-come basis
- Spaces are allotted on a first-come basis.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in order of arrival
- A plain, non-idiomatic way to say it.
- on a first-come basis
- A shorter form with the same meaning.
Opposites
Commonly confused: first come first serve or first come first serve?
first come first serve vs first come first serve
This spelling is common but the traditional form uses served, as the people are the ones who are served.
Practice
The workshop has only twenty places, and they are given out on a first-come, first-___ basis.
Choose one answer.
In the idiom, people are served, so the past participle served is the traditional form. Serve is common in speech but not the standard form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “first come first serve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.