What word means a means to an end

means to an end

The way that one achieves a specific objective, which is not an objective or ultimate goal itself. Having that unpaid internship was just a means to an end—it helped me get my foot in the door at the company, where I now work full-time!

See also: an, end, mean, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a means to an end

a thing that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim.

End and means are compared or contrasted in several proverbial sayings, for example the end justifies the means (see end) and he who wills the end wills the means .

See also: an, end, mean, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

(be) a ˌmeans to an ˈend

a thing you do only in order to achieve or obtain something else: He saw his college education simply as a means to an end — a well-paid job.

See also: an, end, mean, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

  • means to an end
  • be up to (one’s) ass in alligators
  • up to (one’s) ass in alligators
  • up to (one’s) neck in alligators
  • too busy fighting alligators to drain the swamp
  • take (one’s) eye off the ball
  • take your eye off the ball
  • mission creep
  • striking distance
  • strip for (someone or something)


Asked by: Francesco Kertzmann

Score: 4.3/5
(36 votes)

phrase. If you say that something is a means to an end, you mean that it helps you to achieve what you want, although it may not be enjoyable or important itself. We seem to have lost sight of the fact that marketing is only a means to an end.

What does it means a means to an end?

: something done only to produce a desired result For her, marrying a rich man was just a means to an end.

Is someone used as a means to an end?

When a person is described as a means to an end, it means that another person is using them as an expedient tool to get what they want. Example: Meetings are boring but to get work done, they are a necessary means to an end.

What does it mean to bring something to an end?

Definition of bring (something) to an end

: to stop, finish, or complete (something) She brought the concert to an end with a piano solo.

What does it mean to treat with contempt?

Consider someone or something to be unworthy of respect or attention. noun.

43 related questions found

What does attribute mean in a person?

An attribute is defined as a quality or characteristic of a person, place, or thing. Real life individuals and fictional characters possess various attributes. For example, someone might be labeled beautiful, charming, funny, or intelligent.

What does Kant mean by treating someone as an end?

The word «end» in this phrase has the same meaning as in the phrase «means to an end». The philosopher Immanuel Kant said that rational human beings should be treated as an end in themselves and not as a means to something else. The fact that we are human has value in itself.

Is a means rather than an end?

An «end» or «end in itself» is the end result, the ultimate goal, the final conclusion. A «means to an end», therefore, is a way of getting to a given goal. So for example, if I want to lose ten pounds, I might start running to lose weight.

What does Kant mean when he says that something is an an end in itself rather than a mere thing?

Before Kant identifies the end of. moral principles, he claims that it must be a specific type of end called an “end in itself” (G 4:428). An end in itself is an objective end, meaning that it can be held by all rational beings because it is determined by reason alone.

What is the opposite of a means to an end?

liabilities. debits. Noun. ▲ Opposite of a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but possibly improper or immoral.

What is meant by saying that education is not an end but a means to an end?

Only such a type of education can be called valuable to society. Education is not an end, but a means to an end. In other words, we do not educate children only for the purpose of educating them; our purpose is to fit them for life.

What does end in itself mean?

: something that one does because one wants to and not because it will help achieve or accomplish something else She started exercising for her health, but she enjoyed it so much that exercising became an end in itself.

What does Immanuel Kant mean when he says that we should treat people as ends in themselves quizlet?

What does Kant mean by treating humanity as an end in itself? «Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only [never as a mere means].»

What does it mean in CI 2 to use someone merely as a means to an end?

A treats B in such a way that if B knew all about it, B would not want A to treat him in that way. Thus, if I treat you in a certain way, and you do not agree to being treated in that way, then I use you merely as a means. I use you for my purposes, but not for your own. Hence, according to CI2, I act wrongly. Page 6.

How communication is a means not an end?

Improving communications is a means to an end. The end (or the goal) is what matters. Improved communications doesn’t necessarily solve problems. If you have an inferior product or service, talking about it more clearly to your prospects won’t help you sell more of it.

What does it mean to treat someone merely as a means rather than as an end in themselves?

In the idiom of the article, to say that someone is treating another as a means or, equivalently, using him, implies in itself no moral disapproval. To say that someone is treating a person merely as a means or, equivalently, just using him, suggests that she is using the other in a way subject to ethical criticism.

What does Kant mean when he says so act as to treat humanity whether in thine own person or in that of any other in every case as an end withal never as a?

«So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as a means only.» This rule states that we must treat people, including ourselves, as ends in themselves, rather than as things with instrumental value to be used for someone else’s purpose.

What does it mean to treat someone as an end quizlet?

To treat someone as an end is treating her with the respect she deserves.

How do you describe your personal attributes?

Examples of personal attributes include being honest, having a good sense of humour or being dependable. Personal skills refer to the inner abilities or skills of an individual and are a type of soft-skills, meaning they are intangible and difficult to define.

What are good personal attributes?

Here are 10 personal traits that are good to include on your resume:

  • Honest. This is one of the most vital traits hiring managers look for. …
  • Accountable. …
  • Diligent and organized. …
  • Ethical and loyal. …
  • Punctual. …
  • Flexible. …
  • Team player. …
  • Technologically competent.

What is attribute example?

Attribute is defined as a quality or characteristic of a person, place or thing. Intelligence, charm and a sense of humor are each an example of an attribute.

What does Kant mean when he says that morality requires us to treat humanity as an end and never as a mere means?

Kant justified this by arguing that moral obligation is a rational necessity: that which is rationally willed is morally right. Because all rational agents rationally will themselves to be an end and never merely a means, it is morally obligatory that they are treated as such.

What is one way Lilly can determine if her actions respect her friends as ends in themselves?

Lilly ensures that her friends understand her reasons for acting and willingly accept them. is one way Lilly can determine if her actions respect her friends as ends-in-themselves. This answer has been confirmed as correct and helpful.

Which of the following is a way of treating someone as a mere means?

blog] Treating or using someone «merely as a means» means that the person is using another person simply to get what they want out of the situation. Basically, they’re not doing the action for someone else, but using them for their own purposes.

What does the phrase in itself mean?

Intrinsically, considered alone. For example, In and of itself the plan might work, but I doubt that it will be approved. It is also put simply as in itself, as in This account may be true in itself. [

: something done only to produce a desired result

Computers have always been a means to an end for [George] Lucas: telling stories.David A. Kaplan

Dictionary Entries Near a means to an end

Cite this Entry

“A means to an end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20means%20to%20an%20end. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

means to an end

1) Военный термин: средство для достижения цели, средство к достижению цели

2) СМИ: средства достижения цели

3) Макаров: средство, ведущее к цели

Универсальный англо-русский словарь.
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2011.

Смотреть что такое «means to an end» в других словарях:

  • means to an end — index contrivance, device (contrivance), expedient Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Means to an end — For the Biohazard album, see Means to an End. In philosophy, the term means to an end refers to any action (the means) that the sole purpose of it is to achieve something else (an end). It can be thought of as a metaphysical distinction, as no… …   Wikipedia

  • Means to an End — For the common term, see Means to an end. Means to an End Studio album by Biohazard Released …   Wikipedia

  • means to an end — {n. phr.} An action leading to some end or purpose. * /Money for him was just a means to an end; actually he wanted power./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • means to an end — {n. phr.} An action leading to some end or purpose. * /Money for him was just a means to an end; actually he wanted power./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • means to an end — n. phr. An action leading to some end or purpose. Money for him was just a means to an end; actually he wanted power …   Словарь американских идиом

  • means to an end — Synonyms and related words: ability, action, ad hoc measure, answer, artifice, capacity, capital, contrivance, countermove, coup, course of action, demarche, device, devices, disposable resources, dodge, effort, expedient, funds, gimmick,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • means to an end — way to achieve a goal …   English contemporary dictionary

  • means to an end — way or method of getting to an objective …   Idioms and examples

  • (a) means to an end — a means to an end phrase a way of getting or achieving something that you want Information management must be regarded as a means to an end. Thesaurus: systems and methods for doing thingssynonym Main entry: means * * * a ˌmeans to an ˈend …   Useful english dictionary

  • the means justify the end — ► used to say that it does not matter if the methods used to achieve something are wrong, dishonest, etc. as long as you get the result you want : »I m sorry, but reducing the wages of the lowest paid in order to save money is just not acceptable …   Financial and business terms

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Slang dictionary

[ meenz too uhn end ]

Published March 24, 2021

What does means to an end mean?

A means to an end is an activity or process done in order to accomplish a goal. Often, the activity itself is not enjoyable or considered important.

The phrase means to an end is used to describe things that a person considers to be necessary to suffer through in order to accomplish their real goals. When a person is described as a means to an end, it means that another person is using them as an expedient tool to get what they want.

Example: Meetings are boring but to get work done, they are a necessary means to an end.

Where does means to an end come from?

In the phrase means to an end, the word means is used in the sense of “a method or instrument used to obtain a result.” It is used in this sense in phrases like a means of communication or the means of production. The word end refers to an ultimate result or a conclusion.

The first records of the phrase means to an end come from around 1651. In addition to meaning an unexciting but necessary method that a person only endures because it helps them reach their real goal, it was also used to refer to any tool, method, or object that was used to accomplish a task.

Means to an end is used similarly to (as well as confused with) the phrase the end justifies the means, which also refers to goals and the (unpleasant) methods used to achieve them.

Examples of means to an end

BIO: I’ve talked about crappy jobs I did when I was younger. Each was just a ‘means to an end’. They were just ways to get to my big goals.

@Todd_McFarlane, May 19, 2010

Lots of politicians lie as a means to an end — to wiggle out of a scandal or to inflate their policy accomplishments. Trump was willing to lie about everything, all the time, often for no obvious reason. This was lying as a way of life.

Daniel Dale, CNN, January 19, 2021

Who uses means to an end?

Means to an end is a common phrase that is used to refer to methods or activities that a person uses to complete a goal. Often, this phrase specifically refers to unpleasant activities or things a person really doesn’t care much about.

It’s frightening how much of college premed coursework is simply a means to an end, and not clinically useful in any way.

— Sujay Kansagra, MD (@medschooladvice) December 22, 2016

When I told my dad how much I hated college he told me it’s a necessary evil and a means to an end…

— Keisha’s Cousin (@theeHeatherette) January 26, 2012

In music, plenty of writers/journos are used as pawns, a means to an end etc. It’s a shame really.

— Aniefiok ‘Neef’ Ekpoudom (@AniefiokEkp) July 12, 2016

Note

This is not meant to be a formal definition of means to an end like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is
rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of means to an end
that will help our users expand their word mastery.

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