stepping stone

1.
General Englishneutral
- A means or stage that helps one progress to a better position, opportunity, or goal.
- An intermediate stage or temporary measure that facilitates advancement to something more significant.
2.
General Englishneutral
- A small, usually flat stone placed in a shallow body of water to allow a person to cross by stepping from one to another (literal).
3.
General Englishpejorativeinformal
- A person or thing used by someone else as a temporary means to achieve their own ends, often implying exploitation.

Examples: