TOEHOLD
toehold
(noun) a wrestling hold in which the toe is held and the leg is twisted against the joints
toehold
(noun) a small foothold used in climbing
toehold
(noun) a relatively insignificant position from which future progress might be made; “American diplomacy provided a toehold on which to proceed toward peace talks”; “his father gave him a toehold in the oil business”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
toehold (plural toeholds)
(rock climbing) A foothold small enough to support just the toe.
(by extension) Any small advantage which allows one to make significant progress; a slight footing or foothold.
(wrestling) A hold in which the aggressor bends back the opponent's foot.
Source: Wiktionary