first come, first served

idiom

variants or first come, first serve

—used to say that the people who arrive earliest get served or treated before the people who arrive later

The campsites are first come, first served, so we'd better get there early.

The campsites are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.

"Aren't there any cookies left?" "Sorry—first come, first served."

Examples of first come, first served in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These pit areas are standing-room only, and spots within them are first come, first served — prompting fans to arrive early to secure a prime view. —Caché McClay, USA Today, 4 June 2025

They’ll be first come, first serve with no upcharge, at least for now. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 30 May 2025

Friday, May 16 Free Groceries: 9 a.m., Ramona Food & Clothes Closet parking lot, 773 Main St. Open to 18 years or older, first come, first served, 20 to 25 pounds of fresh produce and staples per family. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025

Tastings are first come, first served, but the winery recommends calling ahead to confirm availability. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

Rhymes for first come, first served

• conserved
• decurved
• deserved
• incurved
• observed
• preserved
• recurved
• reserved
• subserved
• unnerved
• unserved
• curved