first principles

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ilyse Hogue: I go back to first principles on a lot of the projects that I work on.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

“We have to get back to first principles, basic issues, of auditing,” Atkins said at a conference in December.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

But sometimes the most important work is simply clearing the debris, removing the judicial inventions that cloud the text, and returning to first principles.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2025

During her campaign, Badenoch vowed to return the Conservatives to "first principles" and launch a series of reviews in the coming months to shape a new policy platform.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2024

Let any obstructing cause, no matter what, be removed in any way—even by death—and we fly back to first principles of hope and enjoyment.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker