foothold foot‧hold [ˈfʊthəʊld ǁ -hoʊld] noun [countable usually singular]
part of a market that a company obtains, hoping to obtain more of the same market or part of another larger market that is related to it; = BEACHHEAD:
• Several U.S. companies have teamed up with Mexican retailers to get a foothold in the huge Mexican market.
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foothold UK US /ˈfʊthəʊld/ noun [C, usually singular]
► a strong first position in a market, industry, etc. from which further progress can be made: give sth a foothold (in sth) »
The merger gives the company a stronger presence in Asia and a foothold in the US.
establish/gain/get a foothold (in sth) »Our plan is to gain a foothold in the fastest-growing aerospace industry in the world.
Financial and business terms. 2012.