two strings to one's bow

1. More than one option or set of resources: “Samantha has two strings to her bow; if her career in politics falls through, she can fall back on her law practice.”

Idioms and Phrases

More than one means of reaching an objective, as in Louise hasn't heard yet, but she's got two strings to her bow—she can always appeal to the chairman. This expression alludes to a well-prepared archer, who carries a spare string in case one fails. [Mid-1400s]

Example Sentences

As papa says, it's a good thing to have two strings to one's bow.'

Read more on Project Gutenberg

He knew, too, how prudent it was to have "two strings to one's bow," and that "A bow long bent at last waxeth weak."

Read more on Project Gutenberg

The first is—If our thoughts get into a low, nervous, aguish condition, we should make them change the air; the second is comprised in the proverb, ‘it is good to have two strings to one's bow.’

Read more on Project Gutenberg

"It is best to have two strings to one's bow," answered Urbain.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

"Ay," said Hal, "very true; he might well say, 'Waste not, want not'; it is a good thing to have two strings to one's bow."

Read more on Project Gutenberg