make inroads in/into something
(redirected from make inroads into something)make inroads (in/into something)
To successfully advance into or encroach upon some new area. A: "How's the research going?" B: "We've made inroads, but there's still a long way to go until a treatment is ready." Our product is finally starting to make inroads into the Chinese market. I was just starting to make inroads in the conversation with him when the party started winding down.
make inroads into something
Fig. to succeed in getting something done or at least started. George was unable to make inroads into solving the problem. We are making no inroads into the high-priority project.
make inroads into
Encroach on, advance at another's expense, as in The Japanese rapidly made inroads into the computer-chip market. The noun inroad originally meant "an invasion." [Late 1600s]
make inroads in/into something
1 reduce the amount of something: Repairs to the house had made deep inroads into their savings.
2 advance successfully into a new area: Doctors are making great inroads in the fight against cancer. ♢ Their products are already making inroads in these new markets.