first down

noun

, Football.

the first of four consecutive plays during which an offensive team must advance the ball at least ten yards to retain possession of it.
a gain of ten or more yards by an offensive team that entitles it to continued possession for a new series of downs.

In Week 2, New York Jets wideout Santonio Holmes bobbled and dropped what would have been a first-down pass.

Tom worked his way feet-first down through the opening, and then disappeared, and after him went Dick.

We snatched him up, lugged him aft, and pitched him head-first down the cabin companion.

Bruno replied, gliding head-first down the stem of the fox-glove, for the Story was evidently close to its end.

He reversed the revolver in his hand and swiftly crashed it butt-first down upon the American's forehead.

Yale's-ball-in-mid-field-Hornung-takes-ball-around-left-end-making-it- first-down-Tinfoil-drops-back-for-a-try-at-a-field-goal.

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