first cab off the rank

informal The first person, organization, company, etc., to do something. A "rank" is where taxis wait for passengers. Primarily heard in Australia, New Zealand. She was the first cab off the rank to sign on to the project, and her star power attracted the other big names you see in the film. The company was the first cab off the rank in providing environmentally sustainable beauty products at a low price point. Wow, I had no idea that company was the first cab off the rank to explore electric cars.