26984 words

footing

10 definitions • 19 examples
1
the fact of standing firmly on a slope or other dangerous surface:

Examples:

lose your footing I lost my footing and fell.
miss your footing Very near the top of the tree she missed her footing and slipped.
regain your footing He tried repeatedly to regain his footing on the ice.
recover your footing I tripped but recovered my footing and carried on.
keep your footing It was a struggle just to keep my footing.
2
the way in which something operates and the set of conditions that influences it:

Examples:

New leadership is needed to return the company to a better financial footing.
regain your footing The travel industry is beginning to regain its footing (= starting to operate well again) after the pandemic.
recover your footing She forgot several lines near the beginning of the play, but by the second act she had recovered her footing (= she was performing well again).
3
to be in an equal, safe, etc. situation:

Examples:

Men and women should be able to compete for jobs on an equal footing.
4
to be ready or preparing to fight a war:

Examples:

The country was on a war footing last night after the most devastating terrorist attack in history.
5
the condition of the surface of a racing track, sports field, path, etc. that makes it easy or difficult to run on:

Examples:

They will try to keep the field dry and ensure players have better footing.
With beach running, the footing isn't solid like it is on a track, so it forces your leg muscles to work harder.
6
a firm position of the feet:

Examples:

He lost his footing and tumbled into the water.
7
a position or condition on which something exists:

Examples:

Both sides need to begin negotiations on equal footing.
8
the way in which a business operates, and the set of conditions that influences it:

Examples:

on a firm/solid/sound footing Officials said they were moving quickly to correct any deficiencies and get the fund back on solid financial footing.
on a commercial/legal/competitive footing Virtually all key state-owned enterprises have been placed on a commercial footing.
9
having the same position or status as another person, company, etc.:

Examples:

on an equal footing with sb/sth Women should be able to compete in the job market on an equal footing with men.
on the same footing as sb/sth The increased use of restricted stock puts management on the same footing as shareholders.
10
a first position that a company achieves in a particular market, industry, etc., that they hope to improve in the future:

Examples:

gain/get/find a footing (in sth) The company has struggled to find a footing in an industry suffering from overcapacity.

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