stepping stone
The term "stepping stone" originates from the literal stones used to cross water, but it is also widely used metaphorically to describe a means of progress.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B1Navigation
(common)A flat stone used to step across water or muddy ground.
Example
- We used stepping stones to cross the creek without getting our feet wet.
B2Career and Life Progression
(idiomatic)An event, job, or experience that helps someone progress towards a larger goal.
Example
- Her internship served as a stepping stone to a full-time position in the company.
- For many athletes, college sports are a stepping stone to a professional career.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stepping stone":
coping stonethrough stonestep tofoundation stonestep onstep instep overstone bubblestep ladderstep chart