first impression

first impression (plural first impressions)

1. The event when one person first encounters another person and forms a mental image of them. ^Wp

   I obviously didn't make much of a first impression with him, because he didn't recognize me from the party two weeks ago.

   • 2022, Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content (webcomic), 4940: James Cameron:

     "Okay, I know you have no reason to believe me, but I was just making sure your room was tidy. I wanted you to have a good first impression!"

2. (law) (of a case, issue, etc.) The state of not having been previously raised within a particular jurisdiction. ^Wp

   Because the law was just recently passed, this is a case of first impression.