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 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

Plot availability across the sites is first come, first serve so be sure to check out which DUG gardens are near you soon. —Tamara Yakaboski, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2024

Wildflower Explorations March 23-April 28, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Wildflower Explorations are first come, first served with sign-ups required the morning-of at the Sunol Visitor Center. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Some options require reservations, while others are first come, first served. —Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024

Applications open online at noon on April 4, and the funds are available first come, first served. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

Texas State Parks will start accepting calls March 8 at 8 a.m., on a first come, first serve basis. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024