English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
OBLIGATORY S’S
You really need not ~go to extreme~ (nonstandard).
You really need not *go to extremes* (standard).
To go to extremes or take something to extremes is to overdo things or act excessively.
~First thing first~, let’s enjoy cool music (nonstandard).
*First things first*, let’s enjoy cool music (standard).
You say ‘first things first’ when you are talking about something that should be done or dealt with before anything else because it is the most important.
The prime minister is ~first among equal` in the cabinet (nonstandard).
The prime minister is *first among equals* in the cabinet (standard).
GAB
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