toehold
Americannoun
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a small ledge or niche just large enough to support the toes, as in climbing.
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any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like.
His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.
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a batten nailed to a sloping roof as a support for workers.
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Wrestling. a hold in which an opponent's foot is twisted.
noun
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a small foothold to facilitate climbing
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any means of gaining access, support, etc
the socialist party gained a toehold in the local elections
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a wrestling hold in which the opponent's toe is held and his leg twisted against the joints
Etymology
Origin of toehold
Explanation
A toehold is a sturdy spot where you can put your foot, especially when you're climbing. If you don't find a safe toehold, you'll never manage to get over that fence to get your baseball back. A literal toehold is an area where at least part of your foot can fit and that's strong enough to hold your weight. A figurative toehold is a tiny advance that gives you a small start toward progress. Getting an internship at a publishing company will give you a toehold in the industry. The literal definition, "support for the toe of a boot in climbing," dates from the late nineteenth century.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The hurdles are even higher for lower-income families trying to get a toehold in the housing market.
From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026
Interior Department resource assessments show enormous NPR-A potential, and these bids hopefully prove the toehold necessary to keep growing that investment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
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 ● Jan. 29, 2026
The government's second argument is that without a deal, China would get a toehold in the islands.
From BBC ● May 22, 2025
For whatever reason, the immediate goal had been accomplished: after decades of struggle, black students had finally gained a toehold in the most cherished white institutions of power and prestige.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
