on a first-name basis
idiom
US
: having a close personal relationship where each person addresses the other by their first name
He was on a first-name basis with his boss.
They know most of the officials on a first-name basis.
—sometimes used figuratively to describe something that one is familiar with or accustomed toShe was on a first-name basis with adversity.
Examples of on a first-name basis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stucky and her staff of 10-ish (not counting the volunteers) are on a first-name basis with their regulars.
—
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
Pete Hoekstra, as if the folks in the crowd were on a first-name basis with him.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 18 Feb. 2024
The Democrat is on a first-name basis with Bono and Cyndi Lauper as well as the other Paul and Nancy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2023
What’s more, the staff are already on a first-name basis with many of the customers, who are also regulars at the Federmans’ adjoining restaurant, the Xetava Cafe.
—Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 22 July 2023
Copeland left Saban’s office years ago on a first-name basis.
—Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 14 Sep. 2021
Diana wasn’t just on a first-name basis with the world.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022
Disney’s government affairs staff is on a first-name basis with most of the state’s powerful lawmakers and has a direct line to the governor’s office, lawmakers said.
—Robbie Whelan, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2022
The decision was centered on her grandmother, who has dementia and whose mental state is quickly declining, said Emily, who agreed to speak only on a first-name basis so that her friends wouldn’t find out about her plans.
—Marisa Iati, Star Tribune, 8 Nov. 2020
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
Pete Hoekstra, as if the folks in the crowd were on a first-name basis with him.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 18 Feb. 2024
The Democrat is on a first-name basis with Bono and Cyndi Lauper as well as the other Paul and Nancy.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2023
What’s more, the staff are already on a first-name basis with many of the customers, who are also regulars at the Federmans’ adjoining restaurant, the Xetava Cafe.
—Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 22 July 2023
Copeland left Saban’s office years ago on a first-name basis.
—Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 14 Sep. 2021
Diana wasn’t just on a first-name basis with the world.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022
Disney’s government affairs staff is on a first-name basis with most of the state’s powerful lawmakers and has a direct line to the governor’s office, lawmakers said.
—Robbie Whelan, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2022
The decision was centered on her grandmother, who has dementia and whose mental state is quickly declining, said Emily, who agreed to speak only on a first-name basis so that her friends wouldn’t find out about her plans.
—Marisa Iati, Star Tribune, 8 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on a first-name basis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on a first-name basis
on a first-come, first-served basis
on a first-name basis
Cite this Entry
“On a first-name basis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20a%20first-name%20basis. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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