IN THE --- PLACE

{adv. phr.} As the (first or second or third, etc.) thing in order or importance; first, second, or third, etc. - Used with "first", "second", "third", and other ordinal numbers. * /No, you cannot go swimming. In the first place, the water is too cold; and, in the second place, there is not time enough before dinner./ * /Stealing is wrong, in the first place, because it hurts others, and, in the second place, because it hurts you./ Compare: FOR ONE THING.