maiden voyage
1. The first time a vehicle, especially a boat or ship, departs on a journey. My parents bought my a car for my birthday! I can't wait to take it out on its maiden voyage. The Queen attended the maiden voyage of the new Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier.
2. By extension, the first time one experiences or goes through something. This is the quarterback's maiden voyage in the Super Bowl.
maiden voyage
Fig. the first voyage of a ship or boat. The liner sank on its maiden voyage. Jim is taking his yacht on its maiden voyage.
maiden voyage
The first experience, as in This tennis tournament is my maiden voyage in statewide competition. This term, originally meaning the first voyage of a ship, was first recorded in 1901, but the use of maiden to signify "the first time" dates from the mid-1500s.