Wordxplr

The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

Kill two birds with one stone

Meaning

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

Origin

The satisfyingly efficient image of felling two targets with one projectile is as old as hunting itself, making this proverb a timeless testament to human ingenuity. While its exact English phrasing likely solidified in the medieval era, the core wisdom existed long before. Ancient Romans had a similar saying, duas aves uno lapide capere, directly translating to 'to catch two birds with one stone,' indicating that the concept—and even the exact metaphor—was well-understood as a symbol of remarkable efficiency thousands of years ago. It’s a simple, elegant ode to multitasking, reminding us that sometimes, the smartest move is the one that doubles your success.

Examples

  • [object Object]
  • If we combine our grocery trip with picking up the dry cleaning, we can kill two birds with one stone and save ourselves a separate journey.
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