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
This time around, she said, they’re just trying to find a toehold.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
Her ambitions have a toehold in reality — she dreams of someday managing a Norms franchise — so it’s no shock that her big job interview is scheduled that very afternoon.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025
But if factional candidates usually lose, under the right circumstances they can have a big advantage in gaining a toehold in the race.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2023
I was pretty far gone, but not so far gone that I thought anyone with half a toehold in reality would think what we were doing was a good idea.
From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff
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.
