Kill two birds with one stone means to solve two problems or get two things done with a single action. The picture is easy to remember: one stone, two birds. The idiom is informal; in an essay, the same idea can be put neutrally: achieve two goals at once.
When would you say kill two birds with one stone?
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kill two birds with one stone; kill two birds with one stone by + -ing
- I cycle to work, so I kill two birds with one stone: I save money and keep fit.
- Let's discuss the budget over lunch and kill two birds with one stone.
- By watching TV series in English, Olga killed two birds with one stone: she relaxed and improved her listening.
What changed
First versionIf I take the train, I'll kill two hares: I can read and avoid the traffic.
RevisionIf I take the train, I'll kill two birds with one stone: I can read and avoid the traffic.
Kill two hares is not an English idiom, so a listener would not recognise the image and might think you are talking about hunting. The English idiom has its own image: two birds and one stone. Only kill two hares was replaced with kill two birds with one stone.
Do not confuse it with kill time, which means to pass the time while you wait: I killed time at the airport with a crossword. Kill two birds with one stone is about getting a double benefit, while kill time is about getting through a boring wait.
Your turn
I need to return a library book and buy bread, and the bakery is next to the library, so I'll ___ on my way home.
Show the answer
kill two birds with one stone — The bakery is next to the library, so one trip will get two jobs done. That is kill two birds with one stone. Kill time means to pass the time while waiting, and nobody is waiting for anything here.
Describe a habit that helps you with two things at once, for example on your commute, while walking the dog or while doing housework. Name the habit and both benefits.
I listen to English podcasts while walking my dog, so I kill two birds with one stone: the dog gets exercise and I practise my listening.
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