foothold

Noun

• 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
    

• a place providing support for the foot in standing or climbing

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  beachhead , footing , bridgehead