toehold

American  

[toh-hohld] / ˈtoʊ hoʊld /

Or toe-hold

noun

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

2. any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like.

   His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.

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

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

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toehold British  

/ ˈtəʊˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a small foothold to facilitate climbing

2. any means of gaining access, support, etc

   the socialist party gained a toehold in the local elections

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

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Etymology

Origin of toehold

First recorded in 1875–80; toe + hold ¹

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

Participants were handed a faixa—a long sash to wrap around their waists to protect their spines and give climbers a toehold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Ian Murray is Scottish Labour's longest serving MP – indeed for a while he was their only MP, the party's last toehold north of the border.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2025

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 then the car’s transmission went kaput and she had to take out a costly loan to fix it, and keep her toehold in the middle class.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2024

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

Related Words

• footing
• niche
• perch