a means to an end

基本解釋

It feels like a way of life, not a means to an end.
它更像是一種生活態(tài)度，而不僅僅是達到目的的手段。
Never lose sight of the fact that requirements are only a means to an end.
決不要忽略看到這個事實，即需求不衹是到結(jié)束的一個手段。
Brutality for our species is not just a means to an end. It is an end in itself.
野蠻對我們?nèi)祟悂碚f不僅僅意味著一個結(jié)束，它本身就是一個終結(jié)。
http://dict.hjenglish.com

That is because 'terrorism' is but a tactic -- a means to an end, which in al-Qaida's case is global domination by an Islamic caliphate.
In other words, you are an end and not a means to me unless in fact I'm exploiting you and instrumentalizing you. Right?
換言之，對我來說，你不是手段，而是目的,除非我在剝削你，或把你工具化，是吧？
耶魯公開課 - 文學理論導論課程節(jié)選
Kant says people ought to be an end and not a means for us; we ought to understand them on their terms."
康德說人們應(yīng)該使我們的終點，而不是途逕;,我們應(yīng)該從他們的角度來理解他們“
耶魯公開課 - 文學理論導論課程節(jié)選

Trading is a different sort of economic good, just a means to an end.
FORBES: Trading Frenzy