expand their foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

'expand their foothold' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to increase one's control in something. For example, you could say, "The company plans to expand their foothold in the software industry by creating new products and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Tories hope to capitalise on their lead on law-and-order issues to expand their foothold in the north.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The time-based arts have certainly expanded their foothold in New York's major museums over the last few months.

The New York Times

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

Farmers rushed to expand their cotton acreage.

The Economist

They could move about, expand their horizons.

Forbes

Subsequent attempts failed to expand their toehold.

Wikipedia

To expand their businesses.

Huffington Post

Expand their imagination with cardboard.

WikiHow

While some groups have been weakened or put out of business altogether, other syndicates have deepened their foothold domestically, expanded their power across borders and diversified their operations into other economic sectors.

Huffington Post

For Chinese companies getting squeezed by higher labor and energy costs, and losing business to other lower-cost countries, the U.S. likely represents a fairly quick and easy opportunity for not only expanding their manufacturing businesses and maintaining growth, but it also provides them a foothold in the biggest marketplace in the world.

Huffington Post

"It expanded their world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand their foothold" when you want to describe strategic growth or establishing a secure base in a market, region, or area of influence. Ensure the subject has already established some initial presence before using this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "expand their foothold" when referring to a completely new entry into a market or situation. The phrase implies an existing, albeit small, presence. Instead, use 'establish a presence' or 'enter the market'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand their foothold" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action to enlarge or strengthen an existing, albeit small, control or presence. It's used to describe strategic growth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expand their foothold" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of increasing or strengthening an existing presence or influence. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies a strategic initiative to build upon an already established base. Predominantly found in news media and formal business contexts, it conveys a neutral tone suitable for various discussions concerning strategic growth and market positioning. Remember to reserve its usage for scenarios where an initial presence already exists, instead of using it for new market entries. Consider "strengthen their position" or "increase their presence" as possible alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase their presence

Focuses on making their presence more noticeable or widespread, rather than specifically building a base.

strengthen their position

Emphasizes making their existing position more secure and robust.

extend their reach

Highlights the act of reaching more people or areas, implying broader influence.

consolidate their gains

Focuses on securing and stabilizing what they have already achieved.

deepen their influence

Suggests making their existing influence more profound or pervasive.

build their empire

Implies creating a large and powerful organization or entity.

gain ground

Focuses on making progress and advancing, often in a competitive situation.

broaden their scope

Emphasizes expanding the range or extent of their activities or interests.

enlarge their sphere of influence

Highlights expanding the area or group over which they have power or authority.

establish their dominance

Suggests achieving a position of control or superiority over others.

FAQs

What does "expand their foothold" mean?

The phrase "expand their foothold" means to increase and strengthen an existing, but perhaps small, presence or influence in a particular area, market, or situation. It implies building upon a foundation that's already been established.

How can I use "expand their foothold" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company aims to "expand their foothold" in the Asian market through strategic partnerships and innovative products".

What are some alternatives to "expand their foothold"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "strengthen their position", "increase their presence", or "extend their reach".

Is it appropriate to use "expand their foothold" when a company is just entering a new market?

No, "expand their foothold" suggests an existing presence. When a company is initially entering a market, phrases like "establish a presence" or "enter the market" are more appropriate.