foothold

American  

[foot-hohld] / ˈfʊtˌhoʊld /

noun

1. a place or support for the feet; foot; a place where a person may stand or walk securely.

2. a secure position, especially a firm basis for further progress or development.

   They gained a foothold in the New York market before beginning their national campaign.

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foothold British  

/ ˈfʊtˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a ledge, hollow, or other place affording a secure grip for the foot, as during climbing

2. a secure position from which further progress may be made

   a foothold for a successful career

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Etymology

Origin of foothold

First recorded in 1615–25; foot + hold ¹

Example Sentences

Beijing will not want to jeopardise the fragile trade truce it just signed with the US, but it won't want to lose its foothold in Latin America either.

From BBC

It created the name Biscoff—a combination of biscuit and coffee—when it sought to gain a foothold in the U.S. about 50 years later.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.K. capital’s IPO market was helped by stabilizing global markets following U.S. tariff hikes in April, as well as by demergers and non-U.K. companies seeking a foothold in the country, the report said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Beijing appears to have few tools to influence the deal given Manus’s foothold in Singapore.

From The Wall Street Journal

All of that, he believes, leads them to needing a clear strategy to gain a foothold.

From BBC

Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch
• toehold