stepping stone

• Expression figurée désignant une action, un événement ou une expérience qui aide à progresser vers un objectif ou à passer à un niveau supérieur, souvent utilisée dans le contexte de la carrière ou du développement personnel.

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.

   Pierre de gué

   • 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.

   tremplin

   • 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.