A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

first and last • first or last
first and last—
1
. coming before anything else in order, rank,
etc.: They say that exquisite painting is the first and last busi-
ness of a painter. 2. in essence; for the most part: You are a
scientist first and last. Your other activities are merely field
tests of the work you do here.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase from first to last— from beginning to end; all along: A
clever coach was able to advise them from first to last and the
crew have improved steadily.
first or last— is used to express indifference as to order: You
may do it first or last; I’m sure I don’t care as long as you do
do it.
first floor (UK) • first floor (U.S.)
first floor (UK)—the floor immediately above the ground
floor: Roos and Paul live on the first floor (that’s the second
floor to us Americans).
first floor (U.S.)—the ground floor (more or less on a level
with the ground outside): The Museum Shop is on the first
floor next to the entrance.
finish school
– 120 –

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first lady, the • first woman, the
first lady, the —
1
. the wife of a president: The first lady car-
ries no official duties…. Nonetheless, she attends many official
ceremonies. 2. a woman who is most important or better than
any other at smth.: Dubbed the “First Lady of Song,” Fitzger-
ald has clearly earned her title. 3. (U.S. diners) spare ribs: The
phrase “first lady” meaning “spare ribs” was a pun referring
to Eve. The Bible describes her as being made of one of Adam’s
ribs.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase leading lady, the— the chief actress in a theatrical com-
pany or a film: Mme du Châtelet always took the part of the
leading lady, dressed up to kill and covered with diamonds.
first woman, the—
1
. (also: prima donna) the principal female
singer in an opera: The part of the first woman in an inter-
mezzo was filled by a very promising singer. 2. = first lady, the
1
: Considering Hillary Clinton’s ambitious agenda, they found
themselves reluctant to criticize the First Woman’s conven-
tional version of feminism. 3. is used with reference to Biblical
Eve: However, disagreement starts soon after the creation of
the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve.