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View synonyms for toehold

toehold

or toe-hold

[ toh-hohld ]

noun

  1. a small ledge or niche just large enough to support the toes, as in climbing.
  2. any slight or initial support, influence, advantage, progress, or the like:

    His knowledge of Latin gave him a toehold for learning French.

  3. a batten nailed to a sloping roof as a support for workers.
  4. Wrestling. a hold in which an opponent's foot is twisted.


toehold

/ ˈtəʊˌhəʊld /

noun

  1. a small foothold to facilitate climbing
  2. any means of gaining access, support, etc

    the socialist party gained a toehold in the local elections

  3. a wrestling hold in which the opponent's toe is held and his leg twisted against the joints
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of toehold1

First recorded in 1875–80; toe + hold 1
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Example Sentences

To keep progressing, one has to stay ahead of the thousands of others scrambling to get a toehold in the sport.

And because the “delicious moments” box is inexpensive — restaurateurs said it costs them between $10 and $15 for a bundle of 50 — it has maintained a strong toehold at local eateries.

After a bit of shifting, he was able to pull his arms out of the snow, then free his lower body through a combination of pushing with his arms and creating toeholds with his feet.

After the Age of Aquarius had gained a toehold in the 1960s, however, they provided a unique “cave cabin” experience for hippies and seekers.

But then the car’s transmission went kaput and she had to take out a costly loan to fix it, and keep her toehold in the middle class.

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TOEFLtoe-in