Initial progress in arranging hotel do (7)
I believe the answer is:
toehold
'initial progress' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'arranging hotel do' is the wordplay.
'arranging' indicates an anagram.
'hotel'+'do'='hoteldo'
'hoteldo' with letters rearranged gives 'TOEHOLD'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for toehold that I've seen before include "Precarious footing?" , "Advantageous position" , "Position of initial advantage from which further substantial progress might be made" , "Minor position from which further progress may be made" , "Small established position" .)