toehold

/ˈtəʊhəʊld/

Etymology

From toe + hold.

toehold means A foothold small enough to support just the toe. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.

noun

A foothold small enough to support just the toe.
Any small advantage which allows one to make significant progress; a slight footing or foothold.“Were Herat to fall to the Persians, this would give the Russians a crucial and dangerous toe-hold in western Afghanistan.”
A hold in which the aggressor bends back the opponent's foot.