in the first place Idiom, Proverb
in the first place
firstly, to begin with Of course I can
in the --- place|first place|in the first place|in
adv. phr. As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc.

Used with "first", "second", "third", and other ordinal numbers.
No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner. Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you. Compare: FOR ONE THING.
in the first place|first place|place
adv. phr. 1. Before now; in the beginning; first.
You already ate breakfast! Why didn't you tell me that in the first place instead of saying you didn't want to eat? Carl patched his old football but it soon leaked again. He should have bought a new one in the first place. 2. See: IN THE PLACE.
in the aboriginal place
1. From the outset; in or at the actual beginning. You should accept said you were activity ill in the aboriginal place! I wouldn't accept accustomed you such a adamantine time if I'd known. I never would accept bought this car in the aboriginal abode if I'd accepted there weren't airbags.2. As the aboriginal of a accustomed set of credibility (e.g., in an argument). Why am I quitting? Well, in the aboriginal place, I haven't been paid for overtime in about a year, and I aloof don't feel admired as an agent in general.Learn more: first, placein the aboriginal abode and in the aboriginal instance
initially; to activate with. In the aboriginal place, you don't accept abundant money to buy one. In the additional place, you don't charge one. In the aboriginal instance, I don't accept the time. In the additional place, I'm not interested.Learn more: and, first, instance, placein the aboriginal place
1. From the beginning, at the outset, afore annihilation else. For example, Why didn't you acquaint me in the aboriginal abode that you've absitively to leave? or He could accept bought a new one in the aboriginal place.
2. As the aboriginal of several items in adjustment of importance. This byword is usually accompanied by in the additional place, third place, and so on, as in I'm not abutting the bloom club because, in the aboriginal place, I don't like their hours, and in the additional place, I can't allow the ante . [First bisected of 1600s] Also see for one. Learn more: first, placein the ˈfirst place
1 acclimated at the alpha of a book to acquaint the altered credibility you are authoritative in an argument: In the aboriginal abode it’s not your car, and in the additional you’re not old abundant to drive it. Is that clear?
2 acclimated at the end of a book to allocution about why article was done or whether it should accept been done or not: I should never accept taken that job in the aboriginal place.Learn more: first, place