toehold

or toe-hold

[ toh-hohld ]

/ ˈtoʊ hoʊld /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR toehold ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like: His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.

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

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

Nearby words

toea, toebie, toecap, toed, toefl, toehold, toenail, toepiece, toerag, toeshoe, toetoe

Origin of toehold

First recorded in 1875–80; toe + hold¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for toehold

Find a product that gives it a toehold and build from there.
Can Microsoft Come Back? Dan Lyons’s Month Without Apple and Google|Dan Lyons|April 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Lunatic right-wing “birthers” have gotten a toehold on CNN and Fox News, and even the McCain campaign investigated their claims.
Catering to Obama Haters|Paul Campos|July 25, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Tremont hooked a foot under a toehold to maintain his position facing a mirror.
Satellite System|Horace Brown Fyfe
Hooking into the solid green water of that eddy, Andy found himself a toehold, and presently clambered out.
Down the Columbia|Lewis R. Freeman

His foot found a toehold and he drew himself up to where another rough outcrop gave grip for his hand.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, June, 1930|Various
I took one look at his smile and understood—Debra had established a toehold in Liberty Square.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow
You've got to get a toehold yourself before you can look at a girl.
The Huntress|Hulbert Footner

British Dictionary definitions for toehold

toehold

/ (ˈtəʊˌhəʊld) /

noun

a small foothold to facilitate climbing

any means of gaining access, support, etcthe socialist party gained a toehold in the local elections

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

toehold

or toe-hold

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of toehold

Examples from the Web for toehold

British Dictionary definitions for toehold

toehold

noun