toehold

[ toh-hohld ]

/ ˈtoʊ hoʊld /

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.

Origin of toehold

First recorded in 1875–80; toe + hold¹

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

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

toehold

/ (ˈtəʊˌhəʊld) /

a small foothold to facilitate climbing

any means of gaining access, support, etc the 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