toe‧hold /ˈtəʊhəʊld $ ˈtoʊhoʊld/ noun

1. [singular] your first involvement in a particular activity, from which you can develop and become stronger
toehold in
The company has gained a toehold in the competitive computer market.

2. [countable] a place on a rock where you can put your foot when you are climbing

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲