{"id":3640,"date":"2022-05-21T18:58:10","date_gmt":"2022-05-21T18:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3640"},"modified":"2022-05-21T18:58:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-21T18:58:10","slug":"kill-two-birds-with-one-stone-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/kill-two-birds-with-one-stone-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Kill Two Birds with One Stone \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to say you can complete two tasks with a single action? You could say you\u2019re going to \u201ckill two birds with one stone<\/em>\u201d and make things easier in your life. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ckill two birds with one stone<\/em>\u201d means completing two tasks with one action. It\u2019s a way of saying that you can take care of more than one important thing without experiencing any drop in your efficiency. If you \u201ckill two birds with one stone<\/em>,\u201d you\u2019re saving yourself time and effort in your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can refer to a solution resolving two problems physically or theoretically. You could say that an equation solves two math or science problems simultaneously. Or you could say that a physical activity like riding a bike makes you fit and gives you transport at the same time.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go past the licensing department, and I can collect my new driver\u2019s license before we head to the store to shop. That way, I can kill two birds with one stone while we\u2019re out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s organize the meeting for that cafe around the corner at 1 pm. We can have some food while we talk business and kill two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get the bloodwork for the hemochromatosis done while we\u2019re sending in the blood for the kidney panel. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll drop past the dry cleaners on the way back from filling up at the gas station. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going over to Kim\u2019s to study. That way, we can have some time together and prepare for the test. It will kill two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to kill two birds with one stone, then go surfing in the morning. You get to enjoy the ocean and stay fit. It\u2019s killing two birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201ckill two birds with one stone\u201d originates from the mid-1600s. It\u2019s a phrase from the Greek Mythological legend, \u201cDaedalus and Icarus.\u201d Another more-likely origin is from The Proverbs of John Heywood, written in 1546, where it appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will learne to stop two gaps with one bush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Around a century after its appearance, the saying would show up in 1656 in \u201cThe Questions Concerning Liberty, Necessity, and Chance,\u201d written and published by Thomas Hobbes.<\/p>\n

\u201cT. H. thinks to kill two birds with one stone, and satisfie two Arguments with one answer, whereas in truth he satisfieth neither.\u201d<\/p>\n