敲门砖

敲門磚

qiāoménzhuān

idiom #36,701

Meanings

1 a brick for knocking at the door
2 a stepping stone; a foot in the door
3 a means used to gain entry and then discarded

Characters

Examples

这张证书只是他进这行的敲门砖。

Zhè zhāng zhèngshū zhǐshì tā jìn zhè háng de qiāoménzhuān.

That certificate is just his foot in the door of this industry.

学历是求职的敲门砖，但不是全部。

Xuélì shì qiúzhí de qiāoménzhuān, dàn bù shì quánbù.

A degree opens the door to the job market, but it's not the whole story.

这本小说是他成名的敲门砖。

Zhè běn xiǎoshuō shì tā chéngmíng de qiāoménzhuān.

This novel was his ticket to fame.

Tips

history

From a Ming-dynasty jab at exam culture recorded in 《独醒杂志》: candidates memorized set phrases just to pass the imperial exam — 'bricks used to knock the door open and then tossed aside once you're through.' Modern Chinese keeps both senses: a neutral 'entry ticket' and a slightly cynical 'disposable credential.'

register

Neutral to mildly pragmatic. Works for diplomas, certifications, a debut work, or any initial proof of eligibility.

Stroke Order

敲 qiāo

门 mén

砖 zhuān