首当其冲 [- dānɡ qí chōnɡ]be the first to bear the brunt; bear before others the brunt of an attack; bear the brunt of; be the first to be affected; occupy a foremost position; stand in the breach:
•¶ 特别是文化人和青年学生， 感觉敏锐，首当其冲。 The most susceptible, and the first to be affected, are the intellectuals and the young students.