foot in the door

phrase

: the initial step toward a goal
He took a job as an administrative assistant to get his foot in the door.

Examples of foot in the door in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The job of production assistant has traditionally been an entry-level position and a way to get one’s foot in the door. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 But Russia’s lead in building miniature nuclear reactors, such as the power plant of the unlimited-range Burevestnik cruise missile, could give it a foot in the door. Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 That kind of foot in the door can make all the difference for young people like Ohwobete and Ramírez, who have creative aspirations but few opportunities to realize them on a large scale. Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Being asked to prove yourself to AI can play havoc on your confidence and ruin your chances of getting your foot in the door. Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for foot in the door

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foot in the door.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foot%20in%20the%20door. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster