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an extra skill, talent, or resource that provides a backup option or advantage
Having a second language is another string to your bow in the job market.
It gives you an additional advantage when seeking employment.
She keeps her painting hobby as another string to her bow in case her writing career slows down.
She maintains painting as a backup skill for financial security.
Often used to emphasize the value of having diverse abilities or resources.
Use this idiom when discussing the value of learning new skills or maintaining diverse abilities. It emphasizes preparedness and adaptability in professional settings.
Never interpret this phrase literally. It always refers to skills or resources, not physical objects like bow strings.
The phrase originates from archery, where having an extra string for one's bow ensured the archer could continue shooting even if the primary string broke. By the 17th century, it evolved into a metaphor for having alternative resources or skills.
Commonly used in British English but understood in other English dialects. Often appears in career or personal development contexts to highlight the importance of versatility.