foot in the door

[blouen]

Does it mean...

that one may not get what he wants but as long as he got something than nothing...

[Ouisch]

"Foot in the door" describes a small start with promise of larger success in the future.


"I just got a job in the mail room at MGM Studios!"
"What's so exciting about being a mail clerk?"
"At least I've got my foot in the door. I can work my way up, meet the right people, and eventually become a film director!"

[riverkid]

Does it mean...

that one may not get what he wants but as long as he got something than nothing...

It means that one is striving hard to get something, B, that they won't take 'no' for an answer and that the person is part way towards getting what they want.

It may have come from the persistence shown by door to door salesmen who stuck their foot in the door to prevent a customer from closing the door, which would effectively have ended the chance for a sale.

[blouen]

Wanting for a greater position, say, in good company, to have your foot in the door you would accept being a simple employee hoping you could work your way up starting from that first step in.

[riverkid]

Wanting for a greater position, say, in good company, to have your foot in the door you would accept being a simple employee hoping you could work your way up starting from that first step in.

You've got it, Blouen!

[Sorry Ouisch, I didn't see you there when I started my reply. Had I, I would have seen that you'd handled it completely.]

[blouen]

You've got it, Blouen!

[Sorry Ouisch, I didn't see you there when I started my reply. Had I, I would have seen that you'd handled it completely.]

Thanks to you both.

Actually I had read Ouisch answer before I have read yours. I think she gave a good reply there but considering both of your answers made it clearer than crystal. Thanks guys.