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

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

This means white students won’t just get first dibs on the latest and best AI technology, but an upper-hand on the skills that are going to propel the future economy. — Jerel Ezell, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for first dibs on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon