bolster its foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bolster its foothold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing strengthening or reinforcing a position or presence in a particular area or market. Example: "The company aims to bolster its foothold in the Asian market by expanding its product line and increasing marketing efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has had to bolster its reserves too.

The New York Times

It has also promised to bolster its systems.

The New York Times

It looked like a move to bolster its ruined theory.

Huffington Post

The move is mutually beneficial, company executives said, as ATK looks to bolster its aerospace business and Orbital Sciences hopes to boost the scale of its existing operations as well as gain a foothold in the defense sector.

The Washington Post

QUNEITRA, SYRIA – Over the past five years, Israel has been quietly working to establish a foothold in southern Syria to prevent Syrian government-backed forces from controlling the area and to bolster its claim over the Golan Heights.

Huffington Post

QUNEITRA, SYRIA – Over the past five years, Israel has been quietly working to establish a foothold in southern Syria to prevent Syrian government-backed forces from controlling the area and to bolster its claim over the Golan Heights.

HuffPost

(Both tactics help to bolster its search-engine rankings).

The New Yorker

The opposition has sought to bolster its position, too.

The New York Times

This will allow the government to bolster its stake.

The Economist

HSBC has since moved to bolster its safeguards.

The New York Times

Smaller countries, especially, would like to bolster its role.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bolster its foothold", consider whether a more direct and common phrase like "strengthen its position" would be clearer and more impactful for your audience.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "bolster its foothold" can sound slightly awkward in very formal contexts. Opt for a simpler phrase like "strengthen its position" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bolster its foothold" functions as a verbal phrase, where "bolster" acts as the verb, "its" is a possessive pronoun, and "foothold" is a noun. The phrase is used to describe an action aimed at strengthening a position.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bolster its foothold" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey the idea of strengthening or reinforcing a position. While Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable, it's less common than alternatives like "strengthen its position". It has a neutral register and can be used across various contexts, including business and news. However, its infrequency suggests considering more common alternatives for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Strengthen its presence

Focuses on making a current presence more robust.

Reinforce its position

Emphasizes solidifying an existing stance or rank.

Solidify its base

Highlights making the foundation or support structure more secure.

Consolidate its power

Refers to bringing together and strengthening control or influence.

Cement its influence

Implies making influence permanent or unshakeable.

Secure its standing

Focuses on ensuring a stable and recognized position.

Amplify its reach

Suggests extending the scope of influence or impact.

Expand its domain

Implies growth in territory or area of control.

Fortify its hold

Highlights strengthening a grip or control.

Establish its dominance

Emphasizes gaining a superior and controlling position.

FAQs

How can I use "bolster its foothold" in a sentence?

You can use "bolster its foothold" when discussing strengthening or reinforcing a position or presence. For example: "The company aims to bolster its foothold in the Asian market by expanding its product line".

What are some alternatives to "bolster its foothold"?

You can use alternatives like "strengthen its position", "reinforce its presence", or "solidify its base" depending on the context.

Which is more common, "bolster its foothold" or "strengthen its position"?

"Strengthen its position" is generally more common and widely used than "bolster its foothold".

What's the difference between "bolster its foothold" and "expand its domain"?

"Bolster its foothold" implies reinforcing an existing presence, while "expand its domain" suggests growth into new areas or territories.