kill two birds with one stone

/kɪl tu bɜːrdz wɪð wʌn stoʊn/◆idiom

achieve two goals with a single action

By working remotely, I can save on commuting costs and have more family time—it's killing two birds with one stone.

This phrase means accomplishing two positive outcomes simultaneously through one efficient action.

◆ What It Really Means

To efficiently accomplish two different goals with a single action or effort.

¶ Literal Meaning

To use one stone to kill two birds simultaneously in hunting.

Literal Breakdown

killto cause death+two birdstwo avian animals+with one stoneusing a single projectile

◇ Mental Image

The mental image is of a hunter throwing a stone to strike and kill two birds at once, symbolizing efficiency.

◈ When to Use

A person might say this when they find a way to save money and time by combining errands or tasks.

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects a practical, resourceful approach to problem-solving, valuing efficiency and cleverness.

informal

To accomplish two different objectives with a single effort or action, often in a time-saving or efficient manner.

Taking a walk in the park allows me to exercise and clear my mind—it's killing two birds with one stone.

Here, the speaker is explaining how one activity (walking) serves two purposes (exercise and mental relaxation).

The new software update improves security and speeds up processing—it's killing two birds with one stone.

This example shows how a single change (software update) addresses two separate needs (security and performance).

This idiom is commonly used in casual and professional contexts to emphasize efficiency or multitasking.

Collocations

kill two birds with one stoneachieve two goals at once

Synonyms

achieve two goals at once hit two targets with one arrow do two things at once

Antonyms

waste time do things separately inefficient

Related Phrases

hit two targets with one arrowidiom

achieve two goals with a single action

do two things at oncephrase

multitask

Pro Tip

Avoid literal interpretation

This phrase is not about actual hunting or birds; it's about efficiency in achieving goals.

Use in positive contexts

The idiom typically refers to beneficial outcomes, not harmful ones.

Gold Rule

Context matters

Ensure the two goals being referenced are logically connected to the single action.

Word Origin

The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it likely dates back to the 17th century. The phrase reflects the idea of maximizing effort by combining tasks, much like using one stone to kill two birds in hunting.

Usage Notes

This idiom is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly dated in some modern settings. It is often used to praise efficiency or clever problem-solving.

Word Breakdown

kill

to achieve or complete

verb

two birds

two separate objectives

noun phrase

with one stone

using a single effort or action

prepositional phrase

English Dictionary

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