Word
foothold
US/ˈfʊtˌhoʊɫd/
UK/fˈʊthəʊld/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a strong or safe position that helps you make more progress in a new area. It can be a physical place for your foot when climbing or a starting point in a new market or job.
n. a secure position from which further progress may be made. Often used metaphorically in business or military contexts to describe an initial stable presence in a new territory.
Examples
“The company gained a foothold in the European market last year.”
“After months of negotiation, the tech startup finally established a small foothold in the competitive Asian electronics sector.”
“The infantry struggled to maintain their precarious foothold on the ridge as the weather conditions deteriorated and supply lines became increasingly unreliable.”
Examples
simple
“The company gained a foothold in the European market last year.”
contextual
“After months of negotiation, the tech startup finally established a small foothold in the competitive Asian electronics sector.”
complex
“The infantry struggled to maintain their precarious foothold on the ridge as the weather conditions deteriorated and supply lines became increasingly unreliable.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'gain', 'get', 'establish', or 'maintain'.
Real-World Examples
“Young people out of work or at risk of unemployment in the UK are to join “AI boot camps” where they harness the technology to get a foothold in the workplace.” “What matters is that the idea gained a cultural foothold.” Etymology
From foot + hold.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
PHRASAL VERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/foothold