How do you use "Kill two birds with one stone" in a sentence?

I can kill two birds with one stone by shopping on the way home. The meeting killed two birds with one stone—we discussed both projects. Why not kill two birds with one stone and visit them while you're in town?

Kill two birds with one stone

Q: What does "Kill two birds with one stone" mean?

To accomplish two things with a single action To achieve two objectives simultaneously with one effort. Efficiency by combining tasks or achieving multiple goals through one action.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To accomplish two things with a single action

一石二鸟，一举两得

Matar dos pájaros de un tiro

一石二鳥、一つの行動で二つのことを達成する

일석이조, 하나의 행동으로 두 가지를 이루다

To achieve two objectives simultaneously with one effort. Efficiency by combining tasks or achieving multiple goals through one action.

用一次努力同时实现两个目标。通过合并任务或一次行动达成多个目的来提高效率。

Lograr dos objetivos simultáneamente con un solo esfuerzo. Eficiencia al combinar tareas o alcanzar varias metas con una sola acción.

一つの努力で同時に二つの目標を達成すること。複数のタスクを組み合わせたり、一つの行動で複数の目的を達成する効率性。

한 번의 노력으로 두 가지 목표를 동시에 달성하는 것. 과제를 결합하거나 하나의 행동으로 여러 목적을 이루는 효율성을 의미한다.

Examples

I can kill two birds with one stone by shopping on the way home.
回家路上顺便买东西，一举两得
Puedo matar dos pájaros de un tiro comprando de camino a casa
帰り道に買い物をすれば一石二鳥だ
귀가길에 장을 보면 일석이조다.
The meeting killed two birds with one stone—we discussed both projects.
这次会议一石二鸟——两个项目都讨论了
La reunión mató dos pájaros de un tiro: discutimos ambos proyectos
会議で一石二鳥だった——両方のプロジェクトを議論できた
회의에서 일석이조였다—두 프로젝트를 모두 논의했다.
Why not kill two birds with one stone and visit them while you're in town?
既然在城里，何不顺便去看看他们，一举两得？
¿Por qué no matas dos pájaros de un tiro y los visitas mientras estás en la ciudad?
町にいる間に訪ねれば一石二鳥じゃない？
마침 그 동네에 가는 김에 들르면 일석이조 아니야?

Pronunciation

/kɪl tuː bɜːdz wɪð wʌn stəʊn/

Usage Guide

Context: efficiency, multitasking, planning

Tone: practical, satisfied

✓ Do Say

Kill two birds with one stone
一石二鸟
Matar dos pájaros de un tiro
一石二鳥
일석이조
Two birds, one stone
一举两得
Dos pájaros de un tiro
一石二鳥
일거양득

✗ Don't Say

Very common idiom
非常常见的习语
Expresión muy común
非常に一般的な慣用句
매우 흔한 관용구

Common Mistakes

Some prefer 'feed two birds with one scone' to avoid violence

Origin & History

The exact origin is unclear, but the phrase appears in English from the 17th century. The concept of achieving multiple goals with one action is universal, though the imagery varies across cultures.

Etymology: From hunting imagery of efficiency

First recorded: 17th century

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Very common idiom

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Kill two birds with one stoneTwo birds, one stone