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.