gain footing

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain footing" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It means to make progress or establish a better position. For example, "As the company changed its focus, they have been able to gain footing in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

(Schutt has almost all the rest; Xenith is a newer company that is trying to gain footing).

The New York Times - Sports

So create your own volunteer army, and reduce the space for would-be insurgents to gain footing.

Harvard Business Review

While some new entrants, like Moelis & Company and Perella Weinberg Partners, have found success, Citadel struggled to gain footing in the advisory business.

The New York Times

Owning a hardware manufacturer could help Google better integrate its software with tablets, where it has struggled to gain footing against the iPad.

The New York Times - Tech

But that is the kind of tea-leaf-reading going on in Hollywood as the industry tries to gain footing in a shifting marketplace.

The New York Times

From the start, Nielsen struggled to gain footing, and his quiet demeanor seemed to trap him downhill from Anderson, seeded 30th here in his sixth year on the men's tour.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

June 1 , 1996To gain foot soldiers and reinvigorate itself, the A.F.L.-C.I.O.

The New York Times

First published 55 years ago in the United States, where it spawned a hit Broadway show and two movie adaptations, Patrick Dennis's "Auntie Mame" has recently gained footing in the Italian literary firmament, becoming last year's surprise hit.

The New York Times - Arts

While the first seasons of Parks suffered from a naive Leslie and eventually gained footing with a talented and enthusiastic Leslie, her indefatigable enthusiasm threatened a redundant season six.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The perception that the inventory DoubleClick controlled was extremely strategic gained footing in Google's board room, similar to Microsoft, which led to the outsized outcome.

TechCrunch

PS3 has had a difficult time gaining footing in the market thanks to the popularity of the Wii and the head-start the Xbox 360 got with its launch in 2005.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gain footing" when describing a gradual process of becoming stable or successful in a competitive environment.

Common error

Avoid using "gain footing" to describe sudden or immediate successes. The phrase implies a gradual process of establishing oneself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain footing" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the process of establishing oneself or making progress in a particular area, often in a competitive or challenging environment. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain footing" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe the process of becoming established or successful in a particular field. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. Alternatives such as "establish oneself" or "gain traction" can be used to add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent. When using "gain footing", remember that it suggests a gradual progression rather than an instant achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain traction

Focuses on increasing momentum or popularity.

get a foothold

Emphasizes initial entry or a small advantage.

make headway

Highlights forward progress and advancement.

become established

Focuses on achieving a secure and recognized position.

establish oneself

Focuses on personal achievement and recognition.

achieve recognition

Focuses on attaining public acknowledgement or validation.

secure a position

Emphasizes obtaining a guaranteed or stable rank.

make progress

General term for improvement or advancement.

carve a niche

Implies creating a unique and specific role or position.

find acceptance

Highlights the achievement of being recognized or tolerated.

FAQs

How can I use "gain footing" in a sentence?

You can use "gain footing" to describe the process of becoming established or successful in a particular field or market. For example, "The company struggled to "gain footing" in the competitive tech industry".

What are some alternatives to "gain footing"?

Alternatives include "establish oneself", "get a foothold", or "gain traction", depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Is it correct to say "gained footing" instead of "gain footing"?

Yes, "gained footing" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct when describing something that has already happened. For example, "The company "gained footing" after implementing its new marketing strategy".

What's the difference between "gain footing" and "maintain footing"?

"Gain footing" refers to the process of becoming established or successful, while "maintain footing" implies preserving a position that has already been achieved. They describe different stages of stability and success.