Idiom
kill two birds with one stone
Meanings
To accomplish two objectives with one action or plan.
Definition
To achieve two goals with a single action.
To kill two birds with one stone means to accomplish two different things at the same time with one effort. It is used when one plan, trip, or decision solves two problems or meets two needs. The phrase is common in everyday speech and often describes efficiency or smart planning.
Examples
- If I stop by the bank on the way to the gym, I can kill two birds with one stone.
- She scheduled the dentist appointment near her office to kill two birds with one stone.
- We can kill two birds with one stone by picking up dinner while we’re out buying paint.
- He used his lunch break to kill two birds with one stone and get the car washed too.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes change the number or word order (e.g., "kill two bird with one stone"), but the fixed idiom is "kill two birds with one stone."
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.