# two birds with one stone

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/two-birds-with-one-stone
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Any two things that were performed or completed at the same time by one action.

## Examples

- I walk to work to exercise and save money, killing two birds with one stone.
- I can pick up the kids from school on my way to the grocery store, killing two birds with one stone.
- By combining the annual board meeting with the charity gala, the organizers managed to kill two birds with one stone, saving both time and resources.

## Origin

From the phrase kill two birds with one stone.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.