敲门砖 (qiāo mén zhuān) — stepping stone (to success); a means to an end (often used and then abandoned)
Definition
A metaphorical noun for a 'stepping stone' — something used only as a means to reach a bigger goal, then left behind. Almost always appears as 当...敲门砖 or 把...当作敲门砖.
noun
stepping stone (to success)a means to an end (often used and then abandoned)
Examples
- 敲门砖，。Tā bǎ zhè fèn gōng zuò dāng qiāo mén zhuān, wèi le jī lěi jīng yàn.He treats this job as a stepping stone to gain experience.
- 敲门砖。Hěn duō xué shēng bǎ xué wèi kàn zuò shì qiāo mén zhuān.Many students see a degree as a stepping stone.
- 敲门砖，。Tā xué xí hàn yǔ zhǐ shì bǎ tā dàng zuò qiāo mén zhuān, wèi le zhǎo dào gèng hǎo de gōng zuò.She studies Chinese only as a stepping stone to find a better job.
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