idiom / phrasal verb · neutral
get a foot in the door
UK/ɡet ə fʊt ɪn ðə dɔː/US/ɡet ə fʊt ɪn ðə dɔːr/get a FOOT in the DOOR
to obtain an initial opportunity that could lead to further progress (often in a job or industry)
Examples
“Internships are a good way to get a foot in the door of the industry.”
“He volunteered to get a foot in the door and later moved into a paid role.”
“Getting a relevant certificate helped her get a foot in the door with local companies.”
Band 8 sentence
“Completing relevant internships allowed her to get a foot in the door at several respected firms.”
Collocations
- get a foot in the door with
- help someone get a foot in the door
Word family
Common mistakes
I want to get the foot in the door at that company.→I want to get a foot in the door at that company.
She got foot in the door after volunteering.→She got a foot in the door after volunteering.
Say it for a higher band
5get in→6break into→7+get a foot in the door
Synonyms
gain a foothold
break into
Easily confused
gain a foothold
“The company gained a foothold in the Asian market last year.”
Related words
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In get …
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