get one's foot in the door

Etymology

Probably from a practice attributed to door-to-door salesmen of placing a foot in the opening of a prospective customer's door, thereby preventing the person from closing the door until the conclusion of the sales pitch.

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.