get to first base—v. phr., to succeed in the beginning of something. Also: reach first base. This idiom comes from baseball, with first base being the first point a runner must reach after hitting the ball. The phrase is now used widely outside of baseball, often in the negative: not get to first base.
Examples:
Helen won’t reach first base when she tries to get a job here; she’s too young.
Patricia and her co-workers didn’t get to first base when they met to plan the party; they only argued.
Related English
On a baseball diamond, you have first, second, and third base, along with home plate. The players defending the bases are the first baseman, the second baseman, and the third baseman. Guarding home plate, of course, is the catcher.
Related English
On a baseball diamond, you have first, second, and third base, along with home plate. The players defending the bases are the first baseman, the second baseman, and the third baseman. Guarding home plate, of course, is the catcher.
Baseball Idioms
Other idioms that use bases include touch bases and off base. Learn more baseball idioms at EnglishMobi this week as the World Series gets underway in the
