foothold

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small ledge or crack where you can safely place your foot when climbing.

   Grammar: Countable: find a foothold.

   Patterns

   • find a foothold
   • lose your foothold

   The climber searched the rock for a foothold.

   He lost his foothold and slid back down.

   Small cuts in the ice gave her a foothold.

2. 2nounsingularfigurative

   A first secure position from which you can make further progress in a place, market or career.

   Grammar: Usually singular with a: gain a foothold.

   Patterns

   • gain a foothold in something
   • establish a foothold

   The start-up gained a foothold in the European market.

   Rebels held a foothold in the northern hills.

   An internship gave her a foothold in publishing.

Word forms

Common combinations

gain a foothold

The brand gained a foothold in Asia.

establish a foothold

They established a foothold before expanding.

lose your foothold

She lost her foothold on the wet rock.

a firm foothold

The company now has a firm foothold in the region.

find a foothold

He found a foothold in the cliff.

Synonyms and how they differ

toehold

Toehold is very close in meaning but suggests an even smaller, more precarious start.

footing

Footing is the stable position of your feet or a basis for something, while foothold is a specific spot or first position.

beachhead

Beachhead is a military term for a first secure position in enemy territory, so it sounds more aggressive.

opening

Opening is a general chance to begin something and does not imply holding a secure position.

Opposites

Word family

hold verb

to grasp or keep

handhold noun

a place to grip with your hand

foot noun

the part of the leg you stand on

stronghold noun

a place well defended or dominated by a group

Commonly confused: foothold or foothill?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “foothold”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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