English

Verb

get one's foot in the door

1. (idiomatic) To initiate contact or a relationship; to gain access, especially to an entry-level job.
   • 1935 Feb. 19, "When You Let the Gamblers In," Milwaukee Journal, p. 8 (retrieved 10 June 2009):

     And the legislature had better study Texas, before it commits this state to parimutuel betting, thus letting the professional gambler get his foot in the door.

   • 2007 Feb. 4, Sara Boyd, "A Formula for Greatness," Washington Post, p. Y14 (retrieved 10 June 2009):

     But despite his academic credentials, Julian had to fight just to get his foot in the door at most laboratories.

Related terms

• foot-in-the-door technique