foothold

foothold
    n 1: an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is
         held awaiting further troops and supplies; "an attempt to
         secure a bridgehead behind enemy lines"; "the only foothold
         left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar" [syn:
         {bridgehead}, {foothold}]
    2: a place providing support for the foot in standing or
       climbing [syn: {foothold}, {footing}]
    3: an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further
       developments; "the town became a beachhead in the campaign to
       ban smoking outdoors"; "they are presently attempting to gain
       a foothold in the Russian market" [syn: {beachhead},
       {foothold}]
    

Foothold \Foot"hold`\, n.
   A holding with the feet; firm standing; that on which one may
   tread or rest securely; footing. --L'Estrange.
   [1913 Webster]
    

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "foothold":
      advantage, bear hug, bite, clamp, clasp, clench, clinch, cling,
      clinging, clutch, death grip, embrace, firm hold, footing,
      footplate, footrail, footrest, grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, hold,
      hug, iron grip, locus standi, nip, perch, purchase, seizure,
      stance, stand, standing, standing place, tight grip, toehold,
      traction