Foot in the Door
Phrase · Hacker Culture
Definitions
An initial small opportunity or commitment that makes larger future access or influence more likely. In work culture the phrase is often used for getting a first role, pilot, meeting, or lightweight agreement that opens further progress.
In plain English: A small first step that makes bigger opportunities more likely later.
Example: "The team used a narrow internal pilot as a foot in the door instead of trying to win approval for a company-wide migration on day one."