Noun foothold has 3 senses
- bridgehead, foothold - 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"
--1 is a kind of combat zone, combat area
--1 has particulars: airhead; beachhead
- foothold, footing - a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing
--2 is a kind of support
--2 has particulars: toehold
- beachhead, foothold - 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"
--3 is a kind of accomplishment, achievement
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