noun
foothold; base of operations
Refers to a place used as a secure starting point or temporary base for activities, often in military, expeditionary, or strategic contexts.
彼らはその島を足だまりにして、さらに遠くへ探検に出た。
They used the island as a foothold and set out to explore further.
この地域に足だまりを築くことが作戦の第一
Establishing a foothold in this area is the first step of the operation.
拠点 is a more general and common word for a base or stronghold, while 足だまり emphasizes a temporary or initial foothold from which to expand.
Compound of 足 (foot) and だまり (from 溜まり, a gathering or stopping place), literally 'foot-stop', referring to a place where one can set foot and establish a base.