prendere due piccioni con una fava

/ˈprɛn.de.re ˈdu.e pitˈt͡ʃo.ni kon ˈu.na ˈfa.va/
idiomIntermediateidiom
informal

To kill two birds with one stone; to achieve two goals with a single action

Ho deciso di andare al mercato per comprare la spesa e incontrare un amico: due piccioni con una fava!

I decided to go to the market to buy groceries and meet a friend: two birds with one stone!

💡

This idiom is commonly used to express efficiency in accomplishing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

uccidere due piccioni con una favaidiom
To kill two birds with one stone (more literal version of the idiom)

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

This idiom is versatile and can be used in both personal and professional contexts to highlight efficiency.

📖Word Origin

The phrase originates from the idea of hunting, where a skilled hunter could shoot two pigeons (piccioni) with a single bean (fava), which was used as ammunition in ancient times.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is widely used in everyday Italian and is considered informal. It can be used in both casual and professional contexts to describe efficiency.

Word Breakdown

prendere
to take
verb
+
due piccioni
two pigeons
noun phrase
+
con una fava
with one bean
prepositional phrase
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese