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Phrase(s): play first chair
1. to be the leader of a section of instruments in an orchestra or a band. (More literal than the following sense.) • Sally learned to play the violin so well that she now plays first chair in the orchestra. • I’m going to practice my flute so I can play first chair. 2. Fig. to act as a leader. • I need to get this job done. Who plays first chair around here? • You’re not the boss! You don’t play first chair.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs