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Region: US | Usage example: The internship gave him a foot in the door.

Foot in the door

Meaning

An initial success that leads to more opportunities.

Usage

Used when describing entry-level access.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Sales technique of entering a home for a pitch.

Used since the mid-20th century in business.