first dibs on

phrase

US, informal
: choice of (something) before anyone else gets to pick
The farm always gives first dibs on its vegetables to local families.

Examples of first dibs on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Part of this has come about as a result of retail brokerages advocating for their customers to get first dibs on IPO stocks, rather than having to buy the shares at a premium from the connected clients of big banks. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 A lot of that comes from a plant on Merritt Island, and NASA got first dibs on it last week. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026 Children who live in those districts will have first dibs on the new programs, regardless of income levels or immigration status. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026 This Islay distillery, the sister operation to Glenmorangie in the Highlands, even has a global fan club called the Ardbeg Committee, the members of which get first dibs on special release bottles. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first dibs on

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Cite this Entry

“First dibs on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20dibs%20on. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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