get a foothold

USAGE SUMMARY

"get a foothold" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about establishing a position or gaining an advantage in a particular field or environment. For example: "The company worked hard to get a foothold in the market, eventually becoming an industry leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I can't get a foothold on that".

The New Yorker

So when did hate get a foothold?

The Guardian

The hosts struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Independent

Struggling to get a foothold in today's job market?

The Guardian - Film

Arsenal strained to get a foothold back in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Those are a great way to get a foothold and start guessing the longer entries.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Free radicals are what we need to get a foothold on that.

Yale University

It did not get a foothold in Europe till the time of Christ.

The New Yorker

For a set and a half Watson struggled to get a foothold in the match.

Independent

Even in good times youngsters struggle to get a foothold in the labour market.

The Economist

But by letting nutters get a foothold, he may usher us into the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a business's entry into a new market, use "get a foothold" to convey the initial stages of establishing operations and gaining market share. For example, "The company aimed to get a foothold in the Asian market by partnering with local distributors."

Common error

Avoid using "get a foothold" to describe complete market dominance or long-term success. This phrase is best suited for illustrating the initial establishment phase, not sustained achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a foothold" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a verb phrase. It signifies the act of establishing an initial, often precarious, position in a competitive environment. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application in various contexts, from business to sports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get a foothold" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of establishing an initial position, especially in competitive situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and business contexts. When using "get a foothold", remember that it is best suited to describing initial stages rather than sustained success. Alternatives such as "gain a footing", "establish a presence", and "make inroads" can provide nuanced variations of the same fundamental concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain a footing

Replaces "foothold" with "footing", maintaining the sense of establishing a stable position.

establish a presence

Focuses on creating a recognized existence in a particular market or area.

secure a position

Emphasizes the act of firmly obtaining a specific rank or place.

gain traction

Highlights the progress made after an initial effort.

make inroads

Suggests overcoming obstacles to achieve initial success.

get a start

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the beginning of an endeavor.

break in

Implies entering a field or market that was previously difficult to access.

obtain a starting point

Highlights the action of getting an initial position.

achieve initial success

Focuses specifically on the positive outcome of gaining a foothold.

get an opening

Highlights the creation of an opportunity to progress.

FAQs

How can I use "get a foothold" in a sentence?

You can use "get a foothold" to describe the beginning stages of establishing oneself or a business in a new market or field. For example, "The startup struggled to "gain a footing" in the competitive tech industry."

What are some alternatives to "get a foothold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "establish a presence", "gain traction", or "make inroads".

Is it better to say "gain a foothold" or "get a foothold"?

Both "gain a foothold" and "get a foothold" are correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context, as they convey a similar meaning of establishing an initial position.

In what contexts is "get a foothold" most appropriately used?

"Get a foothold" is often used in business, sports, and politics to describe the initial effort to secure a position or advantage in a competitive environment.