be the first to do sth; do what others have never done before; be the founder (/originator)of sth ❍ 自谓“史体从无以四六为文，～，极知僭妄，……”(鲁迅《中国小说史略》217) He claimed: “This is the first attempt at a narrative in the euphuistic style. Such a venture is most audacious. …”
自我作古zi wo zuo gu
be the first to do sth.
自我作古（故）zì wǒ zuò ɡǔ
作古：创作。由自己创始，不沿袭以前的办法。be the first to do sth., be the founder or originator of sth.