English Explanatory Dictionary

women and children first

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. An exhortation to follow the principle of removing women and children from danger before men.

Word forms

women and children first

Etymology

The earliest known usage of this phrase is from 1912, when RMS Titanic was sinking.

Antonyms

every man for himself

Related words

duty ladies first lifeboat life vest life buoy the captain goes down with the ship
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