とっかかり

noun

beginning; clue; starting point

Refers to the initial step, foothold, or hint that helps one get started on something. Often used in phrases like 取っ掛かりがない (no clue where to start) or 取っ掛かりをつかむ (get a foothold).

• この問もん題だいは難むずかしくて、どこから手てをつけていいか取とっ掛かかりがない。

  This problem is so difficult that I have no clue where to start.

• 彼かれの一ひと言ことが事じ件けん解かい決けつの取とっ掛かかりになった。

  His one remark became the starting point for solving the case.