first-come-first-served

adjective
UK /ˌfɜːst kʌm ˌfɜːst ˈsɜːvd/
US /ˌfɜːrst kʌm ˌfɜːrst ˈsɜːrvd/

The people who get there first get the thing before anyone else.

The tickets are sold first-come-first-served, so we should arrive early.

SYNONYMS

first in linefirst come, first servedin order of arrivalon a first-come basisby order of arrival

RELATED WORDS

queuewaiting listpriorityarrivalallocation

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A rule where people are helped in the order they arrive, with no one getting special treatment.

Seating at the concert is first-come-first-served.

3. A way of giving out things that are limited, based only on who asks first.

The free samples were handed out first-come-first-served.

4. A policy that gives no advantage to people who booked or paid earlier.

The campsite works on a first-come-first-served basis.