1
gain a foothold (in sth)
常用比喻义，表示取得初步成功或立足点。
The company gained a foothold in the European market.
该公司在欧洲市场站稳了脚跟。
踏脚处；立足点
footholds — plural of foothold
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
踏脚处；立足点
A place where your foot can rest or press when standing or climbing.
The company gained a foothold in the European market.
该公司在欧洲市场站稳了脚跟。
在敌对地区被占领并等待增援和补给的区域
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
在站立或攀爬时为脚提供支撑的地方
a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing
为进一步发展铺平道路的初步成就
an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments
The startup secured a foothold in the local market by offering free trials to new customers.
这家初创公司通过向新客户提供免费试用，在当地市场站稳了脚跟。
AI contextual example
Finding a foothold in the publishing industry often requires persistence and patience.
在出版业站稳脚跟往往需要坚持和耐心。
AI contextual example
Her first published article gave her a foothold in the world of journalism.
她发表的第一篇文章使她在新闻界获得了立足之地。
AI contextual example
the only foothold left for British troops in Europe was Gibraltar
英国军队在欧洲剩下的唯一立足点是直布罗陀。
WordNet
常用比喻义，表示取得初步成功或立足点。
The company gained a foothold in the European market.
该公司在欧洲市场站稳了脚跟。
用于攀爬或站立时，指为脚找到支撑点。
He found a foothold on the narrow ledge.
他在狭窄的岩架上找到了落脚点。
表示为后续发展铺路，相当于提供初步基础。
The ceasefire provided a foothold for peace talks.
停火为和平谈判提供了基础。
Not this
They gained a foothold at the Chinese market.
Use this
They gained a foothold in the Chinese market.
foothold 后接介词 in 表示“在某领域/市场获得立足点”，不能用 at；这是受汉语“在……上”的干扰，英文惯用 in。
Not this
He found foothold on the rock.
Use this
He found a foothold on the rock.
foothold 是可数名词单数，表示“一处立足点”时必须带不定冠词 a；汉语没有冠词，学习者容易遗漏。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
获得立足点；站住脚
The company gained a foothold in the European market.
这家公司在欧洲市场获得了立足点。
建立立足点
They established a foothold in the region after years of negotiation.
经过多年的谈判，他们在这个地区建立了立足点。
稳固的立足点
The idea gained a firm foothold in the public mind.
这个想法在公众心中站稳了脚跟。
找到落脚点
He found a foothold on the narrow ledge.
他在狭窄的岩石架上找到了落脚点。
军事立足点
The troops established a military foothold along the coast.
部队在海岸线上建立了军事立足点。
站稳脚跟；获得立足点
The company is trying to gain a foothold in the Asian market.
这家公司正试图在亚洲市场站稳脚跟。
建立立足点；站稳脚跟
They established a foothold in the industry after years of hard work.
经过多年的努力，他们在这个行业站稳了脚跟。
获得牢固的立足点
The rebels have secured a foothold in the northern region.
叛军已在北部地区获得了牢固的立足点。
发短 /ʊ/ 音 (如 good, book)
Use footholds naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
拆成 foot（脚）+ hold（握住）：脚能“握住”岩石的地方就是立足点，记住“脚下有支撑”就记住了 foothold。
语域：mixed 常见场景：军事行动、攀岩/登山、商业或职业发展 foothold 的语域随义项而变：军事上指占领区，较正式；本义指踏脚处，多用于攀爬等具体场景；引申义指初步成就，常见于商业或职业话题。整体上多用于书面和正式语境，口语中较少。
可数名词; 复数形式为footholds
Dictionary facts from AI_FALLBACK, ECDICT, WORDNET.