toehold

American  

[toh-hohld] / ˈtoʊ hoʊld /

Or toe-hold

noun

1. a small ledge or niche just large enough to support the toes, as in climbing.

2. any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like.

   His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.

3. a batten nailed to a sloping roof as a support for workers.

4. Wrestling. a hold in which an opponent's foot is twisted.

---

toehold British  

/ ˈtəʊˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a small foothold to facilitate climbing

2. any means of gaining access, support, etc

   the socialist party gained a toehold in the local elections

3. a wrestling hold in which the opponent's toe is held and his leg twisted against the joints

---

Etymology

Origin of toehold

First recorded in 1875–80; toe + hold ¹

Example Sentences

At the last moment, I nudge my shoes into the dirt to make a toehold and heave myself to the top.

From Literature

AI-powered dictation is now gaining a toehold among programmers and regular users – and getting people to talk to their laptops.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s less a takeover than targeted toeholds,” said Craig Singleton, senior director of the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ian Murray is Scottish Labour's longest serving MP – indeed for a while he was their only MP, the party's last toehold north of the border.

From BBC

The government's second argument is that without a deal, China would get a toehold in the islands.

From BBC

Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch