grip, foothold, traction, ground, onus, sounder, turf, backing, toehold, groove, quicksand, mojo, momentum, keel, handhold, finances, grasp, track, equilibrium, precipice, luster, balance, shape, position, onside, stride, rhythm, treading water, bearings, disarray, terra firma, stumbling, fizz, stability, imprimatur, bounce, dire straits, shambles, perspective, underpinnings, foundations, spotlight, foundering, brink, reins, skids, stranglehold, solid, brakes, support, composure, impetus, quagmire, glide path, weathering, semblance, burden, toes, ascendancy, oversight, cusp, stewardship, graces, roots, supremacy, trajectory, knees, verge, credibility, morass, shoring, confidence, moral obligation, flounders, respectability, control, headway, direction, cushion, righting, sanity, edge, path, touch, underfoot, primacy, treads, rutty, focus, lifeline, bails, groundwork, succor, moorings, helm, backstop, taxpayers, responsibility, itself, reliant, mettle, fronts, foundation, standing, guaranties, terms, footholds, advice, warrant, mooring, order, prescription, base, justification, makes, means, accommodation, ante, argument, discipline

common ground, toehold

intimate, precarious, sure

foundation, position, status, support

basis, foothold, ground, terms