means to an end

基本解释

It feels like a way of life, not a means to an end.
它更像是一種生活態度，而不僅僅是達到目的的手段。
This is where XML is seen as a data storage mechanism, and in a lot of ways, a means to an end.
這些技術將 XML 看作一種數據存儲機制，而且在許多情形下看作一種達到目的的手段。
But if we stop to think about it, most of us recognise that material and financial wealth are just a means to an end, not the end in themselves.
但是，如果我們停下來反思一下，我們中的絕大部分人都承認物質享受和金融財富僅是達到目的的手段，而不是要在財富中終結。

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."
康德說人們應該使我們的終點，而不是途逕;,我們應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選

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