stepping stone

• Ein Mittel oder eine Zwischenstufe, die dabei hilft, ein Ziel zu erreichen oder auf eine höhere Stufe zu gelangen; häufig im Zusammenhang mit Karriere oder persönlicher Entwicklung verwendet.

A figurative term referring to an action, event, or experience that helps one progress toward a goal or advance to a higher level, often used in career or personal development contexts.

1. Literal meaningB1formal

   A stone used as a step for crossing a stream or muddy area.

   Trittstein

   • We used stepping stones to cross the small river.
   • The garden path was made of flat stepping stones.
   • Be careful on the wet stepping stones.

2. Figurative meaningB2formal

   An action or event that helps one make progress towards a goal.

   Sprungbrett

   • This internship is a stepping stone to a successful career.
   • Learning basic math is a stepping stone to understanding calculus.
   • Winning the local competition was a stepping stone to the national championship.