prendere due piccioni con una fava

/ˈprɛn.de.re ˈdu.e pitˈt͡ʃo.ni kon ˈu.na ˈfa.va/◆idiom
kill two birds with one stone

Con questo metodo puoi prendere due piccioni con una fava: risparmi tempo e risparmi denaro.

With this method, you can kill two birds with one stone: save time and save money.

◆ What It Really Means
To accomplish two things at once or solve two problems with a single action.
Literal Meaning
To catch two pigeons with one bean.
Literal Breakdown
prendereto catch+due piccionitwo pigeons+con una favawith one bean
◇ Mental Image
A hunter using a single bean to catch two birds, symbolizing cleverness and efficiency.
◈ When to Use
Imagine you need to buy groceries and pick up a friend from the airport. If you do both in one trip, you’ve killed two birds with one stone.
◉ Cultural Note
The phrase reflects a traditional Italian emphasis on resourcefulness and efficiency, often tied to rural life where every action had to be maximally productive.
informal

To achieve two objectives or solve two problems with a single action.

Ho comprato una pentola che può essere usata sia sul fornello che in forno: così prendo due piccioni con una fava.

I bought a pot that can be used both on the stove and in the oven: so I kill two birds with one stone.

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe efficiency or clever problem-solving.

Related Phrases

ammazzare due piccioni con una favaidiom
Alternative form of the same idiom, slightly more colloquial.
fare un colpo soloidiom
To achieve multiple goals with one effort.

Pro Tip

Usage in Conversation

Use this idiom when you want to sound natural and fluent in Italian. It’s a great way to express efficiency in a conversational setting.

Word Origin

The phrase dates back to at least the 17th century in Italian literature. It originates from the literal act of hunting two birds (piccioni) with a single bean (fava), symbolizing efficiency and cleverness.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in both spoken and written Italian to emphasize the benefits of a single action. It is informal and widely understood across all Italian-speaking regions.

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese