established a firm foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established a firm foothold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of gaining a strong position or presence in a particular area, market, or situation. Example: "After several years of hard work, the company has finally established a firm foothold in the competitive tech industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

No one's established a firm foothold.

The New York Times - Arts

And yet that music has established a firm foothold in one area: the amateur chorus.

The New York Times

We can only speculate that when acutely infected patients are treated, their disease may not yet have established a firm foothold, and that treatment overwhelms any viral inhibition abilities.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Shortly thereafter, in 1596, the Dutch entered the area and began to establish a firm foothold in western Sumatra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the Boston Consulting Group, venture capital investing "appears well on its way to establishing a firm foothold in the corporate world," The Wall Street Journal reports.

The New York Times

But they have created public ire and international criticism over forced abortions, and have created a population of 1.34 billion, according to a 2010 census, that is aging relatively rapidly, even before China establishes a firm foothold in prosperity.

The New York Times

When word of Port Royal's fall reached France, the marine minister Pontchartrain ordered Antoine Gaulin, the French Catholic missionary priest to the loosely allied Indian tribes of present-day Maine and New Brunswick, to harass the British at Annapolis Royal so that they could not establish a firm foothold in the territory.

Wikipedia

They may have already established a reasonably firm foothold on their top-flight perch before arriving at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on the final day of October.

The Guardian - Sport

It is unlikely that plants will completely replace CHO cells and other established systems, but they are now gaining a firm foothold in niche markets where the unique benefits of plants offer the greatest advantages.

BioMed Research International

But, as with Japan, it is too early to say that the future of professional football in China is secure.If professional football failed to gain a firm foothold in East Asia, it would be a grievous blow to FIFA's ambitions to establish soccer as the only truly global team sport.

The Economist

With the birth of the Royal North Devon Golf Club in 1864, golf took a firm foothold in England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the area in which the foothold has been established. For instance, specify the industry, market, or region where the entity has gained a strong position.

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of the "established a firm foothold". It implies a strong but not necessarily dominant position. Make sure your description accurately reflects the level of influence achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established a firm foothold" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful attainment of a stable position. This implies a deliberate action resulting in a secure presence. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "established a firm foothold" is a phrase used to describe the action of gaining a strong, stable, and influential position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its usage is most prevalent in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. Alternatives include "gained a strong foothold" and "secured a strong position". When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the area where the entity has gained influence to avoid overstating the impact. While appropriate for many scenarios, it's vital to ensure that context is well defined, especially with its common usage in formal, scientific and news media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gained a strong foothold

Uses "gained" instead of "established", emphasizing the act of acquiring a position.

Established a secure base

Replaces "firm foothold" with "secure base", focusing on the stability of the position.

Achieved a solid presence

Substitutes "established a firm foothold" with "achieved a solid presence", highlighting the achieved state of being present and stable.

Secured a strong position

Emphasizes the act of securing a position rather than establishing it.

Made significant inroads

Focuses on progress and advancement made in a particular area.

Gained significant ground

Emphasizes territorial or metaphorical gains.

Cemented its position

Highlights the act of making a position permanent or unchangeable.

Established a strong presence

Replaces "firm foothold" with "strong presence", putting emphasis on the aspect of presence.

Carved out a niche

Suggests creating a specific and unique position in a market or field.

Become well-established

Indicates a state of being firmly in place and widely recognized.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something has "established a firm foothold"?

When something has "established a firm foothold", it means it has secured a strong and stable position in a particular area, market, or field. This suggests a significant level of influence and a good chance of long-term success.

What are some alternatives to "established a firm foothold"?

Some alternatives include "gained a strong foothold", "secured a strong position", or "achieved a solid presence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always positive to say something has "established a firm foothold"?

Generally, yes. The phrase implies a positive development, indicating successful establishment and stability. However, the context is important. For example, if you say "the disease has established a firm foothold", it indicates a negative situation where a disease is becoming entrenched.

Can you use "established a firm foothold" when talking about abstract ideas?

Yes, you can. The phrase isn't limited to physical locations or markets. You can also use it to describe how ideas or concepts have gained acceptance or influence. For instance, "the concept of sustainability has established a firm foothold in the business world".