First Hundred Years are the Hardest!

Today’s English
September 12th, 2017

Life is a race. People run for money, power, prestige, love, achievements or at least to get settled in life. To come first and to get the best are their two goals that suck in all their energy and time. Here are top ten expressions connected with first :

1. Be first among equals = to be more powerful, talented, important among others in the same group, class, profession,etc
A. You can choose Antony for our project team. I'm sure he is first among equals.
B. She was always held in high esteem since she was first among equals.

2. First catch your hare = don't plan more before doing what is said
A. If I buy a new  car, I will take you to Kerala and then every week end we can go on a trip. Hey! Stop. First catch your hare.
B. Let us first catch our hare! What is there in mere dreaming?

3. First hundred years are the hardest = things won't improve and remain difficult throughout.
A. I don't know when the political situation will stabilise here. Don't worry, the first hundred years are the hardest.
B. Everywhere the wife is always right and the husband is always wrong.  Hmm. First hundred years are the hardest.

4. Cast the first stone = to be first to criticize
A. Let me cast the first stone. The programme is sheer wastage of time.
B. Before casting the first stone at others, ask yourself first -Are you perfect?

5. Fall at the first hurdle = to fail a task at your first attempt
A. He was afraid of falling at the first hurdle and didn't try.
B. You are likely to fall at the first hurdle when you appear for the IAS exam.

“Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.”
- Aesop