To Kill Two Birds with One Stone Idiom: Meaning, Examples & Synonyms 

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To Kills Two Birds with One Stone

To kill two birds with one stone idiom refers to the act of achieving two objectives or completing two tasks with a single action or effort. It implies maximising efficiency and productivity by accomplishing multiple things simultaneously, saving time and resources. 

The idiom emphasizes the idea of getting two desired outcomes by executing a single action, thereby highlighting the efficiency and effectiveness of multitasking or finding innovative solutions that address multiple needs at once. Let us continue reading the blog post to find more interesting information on this idiom and how we can incorporate in our daily lives.

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To Kill Two Birds with One Stone Idiom: Usage with Examples

The phrase emphasizes the idea of getting two desired outcomes by executing a single action, highlighting the efficiency and effectiveness of multitasking or finding innovative solutions that address multiple needs at once.

Mentioned below are some examples where you can use the idiom:

  • By attending the conference in the morning, Shirley can network with industry professionals and gather valuable information for her research project. It’s a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
  • Jason decided to have a work lunch so that he can discuss the project updates and enjoy a meal together. It’s a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
  • Emily needs to exercise and catch up on her favorite TV show. How about she hops on the treadmill while watching the episodes? That way, she can kill two birds with one stone and stay fit while being entertained.
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To Kill Two Birds with One Stone Idiom: Synonyms

Once you are aware of the meaning and how it can be used in sentences. Let us now look at the following list of synonyms which we can use easily.

Accomplish two things at onceSolve two problems at one time
Complete two goals with one actionMaximise efficiency
A win-win situationTo have your cake and eat it too
To kill two flies with one slapTo carry two faces under one hood

Also Read: Useful Idioms with Examples, Sentences, and Meanings

To Kill Two Birds with One Stone Meaning Quiz

Let us now go through the following quiz on ‘to kill two birds with one stone’ which will help you test your knowledge.

Instructions: Choose the correct option from the following options mentioned below.

  1. What is the core meaning of the idiom “to kill two birds with one stone”?
    • a) To perform a violent act.
    • b) To achieve two objectives with a single action.
    • c) To waste resources.
    • d) To create unnecessary problems.
  2. Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies “to kill two birds with one stone”?
    • a) Buying two separate gifts for two different people.
    • b) Going to the grocery store and the post office in one trip.
    • c) Completing one task at a time.
    • d) Putting off tasks until later.
  3. Which of these is a close synonym for the idiom?
    • a) To complicate matters.
    • b) To maximize efficiency.
    • c) To procrastinate.
    • d) To create conflict.
  4. The idiom emphasizes:
    • a) Randomness.
    • b) Efficiency.
    • c) Wastefulness.
    • d) Laziness.
  5. In what context is this idiom typically used?
    • a) When describing acts of cruelty.
    • b) When discussing efficient problem-solving.
    • c) When expressing regret.
    • d) When giving warnings.
  6. If someone says, “I’ll pick up the dry cleaning and get groceries on my way home,” they are trying to:
    • a) Avoid doing chores.
    • b) Kill two birds with one stone.
    • c) Make extra work for themselves.
    • d) Waste time.
  7. Which of the following is the opposite of the idea presented by this idiom?
    • a) Multitasking.
    • b) Streamlining.
    • c) Duplicating efforts.
    • d) Optimizing.
  8. The idiom implies:
    • a) That actions should be complicated.
    • b) That actions should be simple and effective.
    • c) That actions should be harmful.
    • d) That actions should be unpredictable.
  9. Complete the following sentence: “By combining the meetings, we can ______.”
    • a) create more work.
    • b) kill two birds with one stone.
    • c) delay the project.
    • d) cause confusion.
  10. The imagery in the idiom is:
    • a) meant to be taken literally.
    • b) a figurative representation of efficiency.
    • c) a celebration of hunting.
    • d) a reason to avoid nature.

Answers:

  1. b) To achieve two objectives with a single action.
  2. b) Going to the grocery store and the post office in one trip.
  3. b) To maximize efficiency.
  4. b) Efficiency.
  5. b) When discussing efficient problem-solving.
  6. b) Kill two birds with one stone.
  7. c) Duplicating efforts.
  8. b) That actions should be simple and effective.
  9. b) kill two birds with one stone.
  10. b) a figurative representation of efficiency.

FAQs

What does “to kill two birds with one stone” mean?

It means to achieve two goals or solve two problems with a single action.

What are some synonyms for “to kill two birds with one stone”

Synonyms include:
“To accomplish two things at once”
“To maximize efficiency”
“To complete two goals with one action”

Is “to kill two birds with one stone” considered good advice?

In general, yes. It encourages efficient use of time and resources. However, it’s important to ensure that attempting to do too much at once doesn’t lead to poor quality work.

Is “to kill two birds with one stone” the same as multitasking?

While related, they’re not exactly the same. “To kill two birds with one stone” emphasizes efficiency through a single action, whereas multitasking often involves switching between multiple tasks.

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