foot in the door

F

foot in the door

Meaning

• succeed with a first step.
• achieve an initial stage.
• taking an opportunity.
• being welcomed to a new career.
• being one of few to try something new.
• reaching a milestone.
• the first step to a goal.
• the point of entry.

Examples in Sentences

1. Mary was so excited to get her foot in the door with her new internship.
2. I feel like college was a new start for me, and I got my foot in the door of being an adult.
3. They’re hiring a select group of people, so you should seek your chance to get your foot in the door.
4. The start of getting your foot in the door is through entry-level work.
5. Now that I have my degree, I can start getting my foot in the door.
6. Max knew his daughter was growing up when she got a job and finally had her foot in the door.
7. In order to become a lead director, you’ll have to get your foot in the door first.
8. After working in retail for so long, James decided it was time to get his foot in the door for his career.
9. I know it’s not the job you’d hoped for, but at least you can use it to get your foot in the door.

Origin

The term “foot in the door” refers back to the full term “get one’s foot in the door,” which is a phrase that dates back to the 1800s. It’s used as a way of getting something that you want. The term first applied when salesmen would quite literally put someone’s foot in their door. When they do this, it means that the recipient of their sales on the other end cannot close the door on them and avoid their pitch. Essentially, this means that they gain the opportunity by grasping it before it’s gone.

Body, Success