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

No registration is required, but access is first come, first served until parking capacity is reached. —Laura Randall, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Space is limited for this free event; first come, first served. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024

The Applause Club, Starlight’s dining experience, opens at 6:30 p.m. and is first come, first served on Broadway show nights. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024

Patio seating is first come, first served with weather permitting. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 6 May 2024

Renters will pay around $100 a month to park in the building, and spots are first come, first served. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024

These seats are first come, first served and a ticket in the supporter’s stand costs $152, while a ticket in the south stand is $167. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024

Due to the time required for the cooking process, ducks are available first come, first served, and can sell out quickly. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Indoor seating by reservation, patio seating is first come, first served. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2024