English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Foot in the door
Meaning
The idiom "foot in the door" means to get started or have a foothold on something, especially by taking small steps or making an initial effort. It can also mean to create an opportunity for oneself, often by exploiting a weakness or vulnerability in others.
Usage
- After months of job hunting, I finally landed my dream job thanks to getting my foot in the door with a friendly introduction from a mutual acquaintance.
- The company's new product line was a huge success because they were able to get their foot in the door with a small initial investment.
- With his impressive record of accomplishments, the athlete was able to get his foot in the door of the professional sports world.
- My friend's band started out playing local bars and clubs, but eventually got their foot in the door of the music industry thanks to a break from a well-known artist.
- The researcher spent years studying the disease before finally getting their foot in the door of the medical community with a groundbreaking discovery. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context, but it usually implies taking initial action or making small efforts to establish oneself in a situation. It can also imply exploiting opportunities that arise from weaknesses in others.
Roots and History
The earliest known use of the idiom "foot in the door" was recorded in the early 19th century, with the first recorded usage appearing in an English dictionary in 1825. The phrase is thought to have originated from the practice of entering a room by knocking on the door and then stepping inside with one foot before the other. Over time, the idiom has come to take on a metaphorical meaning and refers to taking small initial steps or exploiting opportunities to establish oneself in a situation.
Synonyms in English
- Opening the door
- Cracking the door
- Breaking through
- Gaining entry
- Establishing a foothold
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: Abre la puerta (literally "open the door")
- French: Ouverture (literally "opening")
- German: Einstieg (literally "entry" or "entrance")
- Italian: Apertura (literally "opening")
- Japanese: 入侵 (literally "intrusion" or "penetration")