Meaning
Achieve two aims simultaneously using the same action or resource.
Primary Function
To describe a situation where multiple goals are accomplished at once, emphasizing efficiency.
Communicative Purpose
Highlighting time‑saving synergy; showing how an activity serves more than one purpose without extra effort.
Pattern
kill two birds with one stone
Core Structure
kill two birds with one stone
Função primária
To describe a situation where multiple goals are accomplished at once, emphasizing efficiency.
Propósito comunicativo
Highlighting time‑saving synergy; showing how an activity serves more than one purpose without extra effort.
Situações de gatilho
When planning projects that require overlapping tasks (e.g., combining meetings with training sessions), solving several problems concurrently, or needing to meet multiple objectives within limited resources.
Contextos
Professional settings such as business strategy discussions, academic environments for study plans, and everyday scenarios like household chores or travel arrangements.
Padrão
kill two birds with one stone
Estrutura central
kill two birds with one stone
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- can
- let’s
- why not
Substituições comuns
- achieve two things at once
Erros comuns
'kill two birds with a stone' – the indefinite article is omitted in idiomatic use.
Similar / contraste
have the best of both worlds
Interferências
Some learners may misinterpret the idiom as literal violence; using alternative phrasing like 'accomplish multiple goals simultaneously' can avoid confusion.
Família do chunk
- Efficiency idioms
Nuance
The phrase conveys clever planning and resourcefulness rather than any violent implication.
Efeito pragmático
Conveys efficiency, economy of effort, and strategic thinking in conversation or writing.
Dica de memória
Hunter hitting two birds with one slingshot.
Nota
This idiom is fixed and should be used as is without altering its structure.
Upgrade path
maximize efficiency (formal)
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