allow a foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow a foothold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate giving someone or something a chance to establish a presence or influence in a situation. Example: "The new policy may allow a foothold for innovative ideas to flourish within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There is concern that this circumstance could allow a foothold of resistance to form among refugees and breakaway soldiers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Andrew Blanr-Smith, autouto industry analyst at Commerzbank, said major car producers seeking to expand their top range would not look at Rover "unless they were allowed a foothold in BMW".

The New York Times

But when the enemy is literally waiting at the doorstep, pausing the grenades can allow them a foothold inside.

WikiHow

Lamb was twice guilty of taking the riskier, wrong option, allowing Bristol a foothold in the contest.

The Guardian - Sport

City just wanted to protect their lead even if, by doing so, they created some problems for themselves by allowing United a foothold in the match.

BBC

Stoke manager Mark Hughes: "If we'd allowed them a foothold in the game they could have caused problems but we didn't, which is pleasing.

BBC

The visitors were well in command but a defensive lapse allowed QPR a foothold in the game - Mbia threading a beautifully weighted through ball to Cisse, who lifted his shot over the advancing Foster to make it 2-1.

BBC

Wishing to increase his profits and keep his family out of debt, Calvin Cassowary, the protagonist of Rob Levandoski's third novel, has allowed a conglomerate to get a foothold in his chicken business.

The New York Times - Books

The English gained control over Wales, Scotland and Ireland not to allow outside powers a foothold on the British Isles.

Huffington Post

And profitable firms can be slow to spot changes in technology and tastes, allowing new entrants a foothold.

The Economist

By creating a lawless Iraq, Bush allowed al-Qaida a foothold that Saddam had always denied it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allow a foothold", ensure the context clearly indicates what is gaining the foothold and in what area. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "allow a foothold" when the intended meaning is simply to permit something minor or temporary. This phrase suggests a more significant and lasting establishment, so use it appropriately to reflect the scale of the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow a foothold" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of permitting or enabling someone or something to establish an initial, often strategic, presence or advantage. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples, showing the phrase's usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allow a foothold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies permitting something to establish an initial presence or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and formal business contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in tone. To ensure effective communication, writers should use the phrase when they want to stress that some situation favors the initial establishment of someone or something. A range of alternative phrases, like "provide an entry point" or "grant an inroad", can be employed to add variety to writing. Ensure that the intended meaning is the establishment of a strong position and not merely a minor allowance. When writing with the phrase "allow a foothold", carefully assess the magnitude of the advantage created.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a chance to establish

Directly offers the possibility to become established.

provide an entry point

Highlights the provision of a means of entry or access.

grant an inroad

Implies granting entry or initial progress, differing slightly in formality.

offer a starting point

Provides an initial location or idea from which to proceed.

permit an opening

Focuses on permitting access or a beginning, rather than explicitly establishing a presence.

open the door for

Idiomatically suggests creating an opportunity or possibility.

facilitate access

Highlights the ease of entry or approach, differing slightly in connotation.

create an opportunity

Emphasizes the creation of favorable circumstances for advancement.

make way for

Implies clearing obstacles to allow something to advance or establish itself.

enable a beginning

Focuses on facilitating the start of something, rather than the establishment of a strong position.

FAQs

How can I use "allow a foothold" in a sentence?

You can use "allow a foothold" to describe situations where something is given an initial opportunity to establish itself. For example, "The company's marketing strategy aimed to allow their new product a foothold in the competitive market".

What are some alternatives to "allow a foothold"?

You can use alternatives like "provide an entry point", "grant an inroad", or "create an opportunity" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "allowed a foothold" instead of "allow a foothold"?

Yes, "allowed a foothold" is the past tense form of the phrase. Use "allowed" when referring to something that has already happened, such as "The company's mistake allowed their competitor to gain a foothold".

What is the difference between "allow a foothold" and "gain a foothold"?

"Allow a foothold" implies that something is permitted to establish itself, whereas "gain a foothold" means that something has successfully established itself. For example, "The government's policies allowed the new industry a foothold, and it quickly began to gain traction".