What does the phrase "in the first place" in this context mean?

Question

Hello,

I don't understand the meaning of "in the first place" in this sentence:

"Many believe that it would be better to spend more preventing people from becoming unwell in the first place, and reduce the amount spent on curing ill help"

I looked it up in oxford dictionary and i got this "
in the first place -> used at the end of a sentence to talk about why sth was done or whether it should have been done or not " but i'm still not sure if it means so in the context above.

if possibe, please give me some other examples.

THANKS SO MUCH.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI don't understand the meaning of "in the first place" in this sentence

before the negative consequences of the situation occur(red).

-- I'm having a lot of trouble with the used car I bought.
-- Why did you buy a used car?
-- I was trying to save money.
-- But now you've paid a lot of money for repairs. You should have bought a new car in the first place. Then you wouldn't have had so much trouble.

-- The paint on my house looks terrible.
-- Did you follow the instructions for using that kind of paint?
-- Not really. I thought I could get it done faster my way. Now I'll have to do it over again.
-- That wouldn't have happened if you had done it right in the first place.

CJ

Philip · Answer

A phrase with the same meaning:  to begin with.

What does the phrase "in the first place" in this context mean?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions