# in the foothills

> English word · Prep_phrase

## Definitions
1. In the earliest stages; at the outset.

## Etymology
Presumably a reference to the need to pass through foothills before attempting to climb a mountain.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/in-the-foothills