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‘Stepping-Stone’ Is a Way Up and Out

时间:2021-06-15 09:15:56

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(单词翻译)

And now, welcome to Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning1 English. On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.

Today we begin our story in nature.

Imagine you are walking in the woods, and you come to a little creek2. You look over the water and spy3 some fat, ripe blackberries, wild grown, and ready for harvesting.

You can't believe your good luck to find your favorite fruit, free for the taking, just a few meters across the creek. But then you look down and realize you're wearing your favorite shoes. A walk through the water will ruin them! But you are also very, very, berry-hungry.

Stepping-stones are what you need. In a creek or river, stepping-stones are rocks with flat tops that sit above the water line. You can cross a creek by stepping from one rock top to another.

However, the term ‘stepping-stone' is not only for creek-crossings. It is often used figuratively. A worker, for example, can use stepping-stones to reach a higher level or position in their company.

Let's say it is your dream is to become the chief financial officer of a profitable4 and powerful5 investment6 firm. Your first stepping-stone on that path might be admission7 to a respected university. After completing your studies, you step to another stone, maybe it's a job as a teller8 at a small bank. Some time later, the bank offers you a supervisory9 position. That promotion10 is a third stepping-stone. All of them are helping11 to make your dream come true.

Stepping-stones can be used to reach any kind of goal. But not every stepping-stone is a good place to land.

For example, some goal-seekers treat people as stepping-stones. And let's face it, most people do not enjoy being stepped on. They may be happy to provide a stepping-stone but usually do not want to serve as one.

Using someone as a stepping-stone could be seen as stealing help.

There is another way we use the term ‘stepping-stone.' Stepping-stones can be parts of a process within a larger operation. For example, learning how to write code12 is a stepping-stone for many app developers.

Now, if your goal is to master the English Language, feel free to use any VOA Learning English stepping-stones on your path.

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Words in This Story

creek – n. a small stream

figuratively – adv. in a figurative way : with a meaning that is different from the basic or literal13 meaning and that expresses an idea by using language that usually describes something else

teller – n. a member of a bank's staff concerned with the direct14 handling of money received or paid out

promotion – n. the act of moving someone to a higher or more important position or rank in an organization

code – n. to change (information) into a set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be read by a computer

master – v. to learn (something) completely : to get the knowledge and skill that allows you to do, use, or understand (something) very well


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1 learning wpSzFe     
n.学问,学识,学习;动词learn的现在分词
参考例句:
  • When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时,常会从车上掉下来。
  • Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。
2 creek 3orzL     
n.小溪,小河,小湾
参考例句:
  • He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
  • People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。
3 spy BvUwU     
n.间谍,侦探,侦察;vt.侦察,找出,发现;vi.做密探,侦查
参考例句:
  • I'm sure my neighbours spy on me.我肯定邻居暗中监视我。
  • The spy never told his family about his underground activities.那个间谍从来不把他的地下活动告诉他的家人。
4 profitable 5QJxW     
adj.有益的,能带来利益的,有利可图的
参考例句:
  • That business became profitable last year.那项生意去年变得很赚钱。
  • The convention business is very profitable for the hotel industry.承办会议业务能给旅馆业带来很高的利润。
5 powerful E1Zzi     
adj.有力的,有权力的,强大的
参考例句:
  • The UN began to get more and more powerful.联合国开始变得越来越强大了。
  • Such are the most powerful voices of our times!这些就是我们时代的最有力的声音!
6 investment xajzr     
n.投资,投资额;(时间、精力等的)投入
参考例句:
  • It took two years before I recouped my investment.我用了两年时间才收回投资。
  • The success of the project pivots on investment from abroad.这个工程的成功主要依靠外来投资。
7 admission 6Kuyx     
n.允许进入;承认;入场费,入会费,入场券
参考例句:
  • We attached a condition to his admission to our school.我们对准许他入校附加了一个条件。
  • By her own admission,she was responsible for the accident.她自己承认,事故应该由她负责。
8 teller yggzeP     
n.银行出纳员;(选举)计票员
参考例句:
  • The bank started her as a teller.银行起用她当出纳员。
  • The teller tried to remain aloof and calm.出纳员力图保持冷漠和镇静。
9 supervisory 6rnwu     
adj.监督的;管理的
参考例句:
  • Have you ever done supervisory work? 你担任过管理工作吗? 来自辞典例句
  • Others, however, remain reluctant to strengthen supervisory powers at the European level. 然而,还有一些国家仍不愿强化欧盟层面的监管权力。 来自互联网
10 promotion eRLxn     
n.提升,晋级;促销,宣传
参考例句:
  • The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
  • The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级,加了薪。
11 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
12 code HWoyc     
n.代码,代号,密码;法典,法规,规划
参考例句:
  • What's the code for Tianjin?天津的代号是多少?
  • Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。
13 literal U88zx     
adj.照字面的,原义的,逐字的
参考例句:
  • This word should not be taken in its literal sense.这个词不能按本义去理解。
  • He made a literal interpretation.他逐字解释。
14 direct aPzzp     
adj.直接的;直达的;v.指挥;知道;监督;管理
参考例句:
  • This train is direct,you do not have to change.这辆火车是直达的,你不必换车。
  • The army is under the king's direct command.军队由国王直接统帅。

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