foothold

[foot-hohld]

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.

foothold

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foothold¹

First recorded in 1615–25; foot + hold ¹

Example Sentences

But this was an uncharacteristically poor Wigan display and, outside of a promising opening 10 minutes, they rarely looked like gaining a decisive foothold in the game.

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U.S. officials are concerned about Russian threats to Greenland but also Chinese efforts to gain an economic foothold there.

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Ford retained ownership of its Chennai plant, Roy said, to keep a foothold in India.

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So they are used instead in areas where resistance forces have less of a foothold and may not have the weapons required to shoot them down.

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Russian attempts to secure a deep foothold in Sudan’s civil war have failed.

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Related Words

• footing 
• niche 
• perch 
• toehold