kill two birds with one stone

Cultural  

1. To accomplish two objectives with a single action: “If we can get gas and have lunch at the next rest stop, we will be killing two birds with one stone.”

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kill two birds with one stone Idioms  

1. Achieve two ends with a single effort, as in As long as I was in town on business, I thought I'd kill two birds and visit my uncle too. This expression is so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

I had all of those thoughts, but I’m doing it the day before the Hollywood Bowl so I can kill two birds with one stone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2025

Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democrat whose district includes a significant portion of Prince George’s, said lawmakers made it clear during the meeting “that we can kill two birds with one stone with this.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2023

That way you kill two birds with one stone by giving her the opportunity to be more social while enjoying books.

From Slate • May 20, 2021

Why not kill two birds with one stone by displaying surplus statues alongside the subterranean streetcar tracks?

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2019

She’d be needing a fresh bar of soap within the hour and could kill two birds with one stone if she got it now.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith