toe ‧ hold /ˈtəʊhəʊld $ ˈtoʊhoʊld/ BrE AmE 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