fʊt ɪn ðə dɔr
Business
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- Putting one's foot in a doorway to prevent it from closing
What does "foot in the door" mean?
- An initial opportunity that may lead to greater success
- A first step toward a goal, especially in business or employment
Examples
- This internship is my foot in the door at the company.
- The small contract gave us a foot in the door with the client.
- Getting a foot in the door is the hardest part.
Origin
From door-to-door salespeople who would literally put a foot in the door to prevent it from being closed, giving them a chance to make their pitch.
How to use it
Very common in career and business contexts. Often used with 'get' or 'have.'
Similar expressions
initial opportunity
entry point
first chance
Opposites
door closed
no opportunity
Related idioms
- on the same page
In agreement or having the same understanding
- cut to the chase
To get to the point without wasting time
- hit the ground running
To start a new job or activity with immediate effectiveness
- in the loop
Included in the flow of information
- the bottom line
The most important point or factor
- get up to speed
To become fully informed about a situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "foot in the door" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.