gateway drug

American  

[geyt-wey druhg] / ˈgeɪt weɪ ˌdrʌg /

noun

1. any drug, as a stimulant or tranquilizer, whose use may lead to the use of more dangerous or addictive drugs such as heroin.

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gateway drug British  

noun

1. a recreational drug such as cannabis, the use of which is believed by some to encourage the user to try stronger drugs

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Etymology

Origin of gateway drug

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

But in fashion — using Vivienne Westwood as his gateway drug — Valencia found it all: history, politics, nature, curiosity and, ultimately, freedom.

From Los Angeles Times

Sports coverage is also a gateway drug to the newspaper habit.

From Seattle Times

“My thought was, this is like a gateway drug into anime,” he says, which was the case for many U.S. viewers who had yet to understand that not all anime is kiddie fare.

From Washington Post

Maybe this is why representation matters: loving a fictional character is the gateway drug for cherishing the real people they represent.

From Salon

“There will be many who say we are giving the Australians a gateway drug for a nuclear capability,’’ Narang said.

From Seattle Times