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Definition:
a) a good starting position
German translation:
toehold = der Ansatzpunkt, der Brückenkopf
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GOOGLE INDEX
toehold: approximately 340,000 Google hits
Sample text:
United Group gains TOEHOLD in Asian market
(Australasian Business Intelligence)
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Women have gained another TOEHOLD in the workplace as the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry says it will start hiring.
(BBC News)
Did you know?
toehold
noun
- a strong first position from which further advances can be made (fig.)
- a small hole or surface on a rock which is just big enough for a climber to put the end of his or her foot in or on
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
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WORD ORIGIN
Toehold is a compound word consisting of "toe" and "hold". It literally refers to a place where a climber can hold the end of a foot for stability in order to advance higher up the mountain. Figuratively speaking it refers to an initial position from which further progress can be made.
It is often used in business when a company first enters a market with the aim of becoming more successful. Military units also gain toeholds, meaning to capture an area or region from which further advances towards the enemy can be accomplished.
Finally, toehold is the name of a professional wrestling hold in which one competitor holds an opponent's toe and twists his leg against the joints. The world of professional wrestling is full of colourful names for different holds such as double chickenwing, camel clutch, dragon sleeper, Tonga death grip, Boston crab and Damascus head-leglock. For those interested in more detail, see the Wikipedia entry "professional wrestling holds" or tune into a late night TV channel.
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SYNONYMS
footing, niche, perch, ledge, foothold
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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"Most successful companies first gain a toehold in a market before deciding how much to invest."
Thanks to Volker for suggesting today's word!
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And now...
Today's Learning Tip (14):
MAKE AN ICON
Draw a personal symbol or icon to represent each new word. For instance draw a cloud to represent the word "rainmaker". Put this symbol on a Post-It note and say the word whenever you see the symbol.
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