put somebody/something first

put (someone or something) first

To make (the wellbeing, success, etc., of) someone or something the primary priority, especially over oneself or someone or something else. When you become a parent, you learn to put your children first every time. We need to put product development first and worry about the marketing later.See also: first, put

put somebody/something ˈfirst

treat somebody/something as the most important person or thing: A politician should always put the needs of the country first and not his personal ambitions.He never put his family first.See also: first, put, somebody, something