stepping stone; means to an end
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
stepping stone; temporary means to achieve fame, profit, or success
Metaphorically refers to a tool or method used temporarily to gain entry or achieve a goal, often discarded once success is attained. Commonly used in educational and career contexts.
Fēng封
jiàn建
shí时
dài代
de的
wén文
rén人
cháng常
bǎ把
dú读
shū书
dāng当
chéng成
qiāo敲
mén门
zhuān砖
，
yī一
dàn旦
gōng功
míng名
dào到
shǒu手
，
shū书
jí籍
yě也
jiù就
bèi被
shù束
zhī之
gāo高
gé阁
le了
。
In feudal times, scholars often treated reading as a stepping stone; once they achieved official rank, their books were put away on high shelves.
Tā他
bǎ把
shuò硕
shì士
xué学
wèi位
dāng当
zuò作
jìn进
rù入
dà大
gōng公
sī司
de的
qiāo敲
mén门
zhuān砖
。
He treated his master's degree as a stepping stone to get into a big company.
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Duì对
hěn很
duō多
rén人
lái来
shuō说
，
tuō托
fú福
chéng成
jì绩
zhǐ只
shì是
liú留
xué学
de的
qiāo敲
mén门
zhuān砖
。
For many people, a TOEFL score is merely a stepping stone for studying abroad.
Zhè这
kuài块
wén文
píng凭
chéng成
le了
tā他
gǎi改
biàn变
mìng命
yùn运
de的
qiāo敲
mén门
zhuān砖
。
This diploma became his stepping stone to changing his fate.