establish a strong foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish a strong foothold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of gaining a secure position or presence in a particular market, field, or situation. Example: "The company aims to establish a strong foothold in the emerging technology sector to enhance its competitive advantage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Still, a real terrorist threat remains, Mr. Maghraoui said, with several Moroccans involved in terrorist networks in Europe and A.Q.M.I. still trying to establish a strong foothold in Morocco.

The New York Times

Vincent La Selva of the New York Grand Opera, a talented Verdi conductor, has somehow failed to establish a strong foothold in international opera; but his company got on the map and into the Guinness Book of World Records by presenting all 28 Verdi operas in chronological order.

The New York Times

It is also struggling to establish a strong foothold in emerging markets, which can hurt profits for those that do not have Nokia's tight control over logistics and supply costs.

Forbes

"We believe that the acquisition of StarKist seafood will help Dongwon establish a strong foothold and penetration in the U.S. market," said Park In-gu, vice chairman of Dongwon Enterprise, which is the holding company for the conglomerate.

Forbes

The capture of the airfield allowed German reinforcements to be landed directly on Crete and establish a strong foothold on their otherwise tenuous positions.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Healtheon and WebMD not only merged, under the name of WebMD, but they also spent billions to acquire non-dot-com companies to secure a steady revenue stream and establish a stronger foothold in the medical community.

The New York Times

Citigroup announced late Wednesday that it was moving one of its most senior investment bankers to the Middle East, hoping to establish a stronger foothold in the oil-rich region.

The New York Times

When he came to power the Armenians had established a strong foothold in the territory, but the war had ground to a halt.

The Guardian

It is that ability to combine businesses and consumers on the local level that has attracted Google, which has had difficulty gaining local advertising market share and establishing a strong foothold in social media.

The New York Times

While technology has established a strong foothold in Houston, much of the new research and development takes place within the petrochemical industry or existing government and academic institutions.

Forbes

Bombardier has established a strong foothold in China, where Beijing is spending $32 billion through the end of 2010 on cars and locomotives.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish a strong foothold", consider the specific area or context where the foothold is being established. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "establish a strong foothold" in overly general contexts where a more straightforward term like "succeed" or "gain influence" would be more appropriate. The phrase is most effective when describing a deliberate effort to secure a specific position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a strong foothold" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of securing a dominant or stable presence in a particular domain. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish a strong foothold" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the process of gaining a secure and influential position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific domains. When using the phrase, be mindful of the specific context and consider alternatives like "gain a firm footing" or "build a strong presence" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid overuse in overly general situations to maintain clarity and impact. It is important to consider that Ludwig confirms that this is grammatically correct and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain a firm footing

Focuses on the act of gaining stability and security in a particular situation.

secure a solid base

Emphasizes the creation of a stable and reliable foundation.

build a strong presence

Highlights the development of a noticeable and influential presence.

develop a firm position

Focuses on the advancement and strengthening of one's standing.

create a stable foundation

Stresses the importance of building a reliable and lasting base.

gain a strategic advantage

Highlights the acquisition of a beneficial position for future success.

carve out a niche

Emphasizes the act of creating a unique and specific position in a market or field.

ingrain oneself deeply

Focuses on becoming firmly established and integrated within a particular environment.

embed oneself securely

Stresses the act of becoming firmly and safely established.

consolidate one's position

Highlights the strengthening and securing of an existing position.

FAQs

What does it mean to "establish a strong foothold"?

To "establish a strong foothold" means to gain a secure and stable position in a particular market, industry, or area. It suggests a deliberate effort to create a firm foundation for future growth or success.

How can I use "establish a strong foothold" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a company's efforts to penetrate a new market, an organization's attempt to secure its position in an industry, or an individual's endeavor to gain recognition in their field. For example: "The company aims to "gain a firm footing" in the Asian market."

What are some alternatives to "establish a strong foothold"?

Alternatives include "secure a solid base", "build a strong presence", or "develop a firm position". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is it better to say "establish a strong foothold" or "establish a firm foothold"?

Both "establish a strong foothold" and "establish a firm foothold" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Strong" emphasizes power and resilience, while "firm" highlights stability and security. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.