English Explanatory Dictionary

kill two birds with one stone

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To solve two problems with one single action.

Pronunciation

En-au-kill two birds with one stone.ogg

Word forms

kill two birds with one stone kills two birds with one stone killing two birds with one stone killed two birds with one stone

Etymology

Apparently coined by Dr. John Bramhall, Bishop of Derry, in a 1646 letter to Thomas Hobbes, later published in 1656. Compare earlier stop two gaps with one bush.

Synonyms

feed two birds with one scone

Related words

at one blast one fell swoop stop two gaps with one bush while one is at it

Derived words

two birds with one stone
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