be the first to do sth; do what others have never done before; be the founder (/originator)of sth ? 自謂“史體從無以四六為文，～，極知僭妄，……”(魯迅《中國小說史略》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：創(chuàng)作。由自己創(chuàng)始，不沿襲以前的辦法。be the first to do sth., be the founder or originator of sth.