Synonyms:
beachhead, foothold
Meaning: 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"
Synonyms:
foothold, footing
Meaning: a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing
Synonyms:
bridgehead, foothold
Meaning: 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"
Usage examples
Unable to obtain a steady foothold on that shaky support, he flounders about; and the more he struggles the more he entangles his shackles.
Property not being our natural condition, how did it gain a foothold? Why has the social instinct, so trustworthy among the animals, erred in the case of man?