To start with, pass directly (2,5,4)
I believe the answer is:
at first hand
'directly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'to start with pass' is the wordplay.
'to start with' becomes 'atfirst' (I've seen this before).
'pass' becomes 'hand' ('hand' can be a synonym of 'pass').
'atfirst'+'hand'='AT FIRST HAND'
(Other definitions for at first hand that I've seen before include "Starting bridge tournament" , "From the original source" , "Directly" , "from personal experience" .)