in the first place
in the second place
in the third place
in the place
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.
love at first sight
Любовь с первого взгляда.
Their love was at first sight, but unfortunately it didn’t last long.
Их любовь была любовью с первого взгляда, но к сожаленью, она не продлилась долго.
not to get to first base
To fail to make initial progress; have no success at all.
I tried various ways to make Mary interested in me as a potential husband, but I couldn 't even get to first base.
not to know the first thing about
To be totally ignorant about a certain issue.
Al assured us that he didn't know the first thing about Mary's whereabouts.
of the first water
Of the finest quality; superior; very good; best.
The jeweler chose diamonds of the first water for the queen's crown.
The dance program at graduation was of the first water.