198 Foot in the door
(PW) opening, hopeful beginning of success
It is not my idea of a perfect job, but at least I have my foot in the door with a great company.
(free) Slang
1. An initial point of or opportunity for entry.
2. A first step in working toward a goal.
(usingEnglish)
If you have or get your foot in the door, you start working in a company or organisation at a low level, hoping that you will be able to progress from there.
(phraseFinder) An introduction or way in to something, made in order that progress may be made later.
The initial uses of the term 'putting a foot in the door' are straightforward literal ones. This may be just describing someone who steps over the threshold of a property, or someone putting a foot in the door in order to prevent it from closing and so continue a conversation. An early example of the latter comes in the American poet and playwright George Boker's work Plays and poems, 1856:
"And he sang to his gittern of love and of war With one foot in his stirrup and one in her door."
We now use 'foot in the door' in a figurative sense, with a similar meaning to 'the thin end of the wedge'. It was the technique of jamming a foot in the door to prevent it closing, used by door-to-door salesmen and political canvassers, that give us this figurative use of the term. All the early examples of this are from the USA. For example, this report of an application for civic funding, reported in The Oakland Tribune, August 1914:
"All I'm asking is that you authorize the park department to go ahead." "Yes, but you are trying to commit us to an expenditure of $48,400 or more," said Baccus.
"No. I'm merely asking that the first step be taken," answered Mayor Mott.
"You've got a mighty clever way of getting your foot in the door, and then we can't get it closed until the whole proposition is carried", said Turner.
(your) Achieve an initial stage; succeed with a first step.
For example, I think I could do well in an interview once I get my foot in the door with an appointment. This term alludes to the door-to-door salesperson or canvasser who blocks the door with one foot so it cannot be closed.
(GoEnglish)
get an opportunity or introduction with that person or place ...
