kill two birds with one stone
英 /kɪl tuː bɜːdz wɪð wʌn stəʊn/美 /kɪl tu bɜrdz wɪð wʌn stoʊn/
phrase
一石二鸟;一举两得
用法示例
- By carpooling to work, we kill two birds with one stone: we save money and reduce pollution.通过拼车上班,我们一举两得:既省钱又减少污染。
- The new policy kills two birds with one stone by creating jobs and improving public health.这项新政策一举两得,既创造就业机会又改善公共健康。
- I'll stop by the bank on my way to the grocery store and kill two birds with one stone.我去杂货店的路上顺便去趟银行,一举两得。
- Studying abroad kills two birds with one stone: you learn a language and experience a new culture.出国留学一举两得:既能学语言又能体验新文化。
- The company's decision to work remotely killed two birds with one stone: it cut costs and boosted employee morale.公司决定远程办公,一举两得:既削减成本又提升员工士气。
含义详解
该习语的字面意思是用一块石头打死两只鸟,引申为通过一次行动或努力同时达成两个目标,即“一举两得”。本义强调效率与技巧,引申义则突出资源(时间、金钱、精力)的节省和结果的优化。在日常使用中,它既可指具体事务(如顺路办事),也可指抽象策略(如兼顾学习与娱乐)。
词源解析
该习语最早可追溯至17世纪,类似表达在多种语言中存在(如拉丁语“duos parietes dealbare”)。其构词逻辑直白:kill(杀死)、two birds(两只鸟)、with one stone(用一块石头),形象描绘了精准与高效。记忆时可联想“扔一块石头,同时击中两个目标”,强调一次投入、双重回报。
适用语境
该习语广泛用于日常口语、商务讨论和新闻评论中。在日常对话中,语气轻松,常用来描述顺路办事或高效安排;在商务场合,则侧重策略性和资源优化,如“合并任务以节省成本”;在新闻报道中,可能用来概括政策或措施的“双重效益”。其语气通常积极,暗示聪明或幸运。
用法须知
该习语为固定短语,通常作为动词短语使用,可直接接宾语(如“kill two birds with one stone”),或用于“It kills two birds with one stone”句型。其主语常为人或事物,且不用于被动语态。易错点包括将“birds”误写为“bird”,或忽略“with”后的单数“stone”。
相似词辨析
与“kill two birds with one stone”近义的表达有“hit two targets with one arrow”和“make one stroke accomplish two purposes”。前者强调精准,后者强调效率,但均不如该习语常用。另一个近义词是“kill two flies with one swat”,但语气更口语化。使用时,若强调“省力”,可选“kill two birds with one stone”;若强调“策略”,可用“achieve two goals at once”。
常见误区
该习语属于中性偏积极的表达,语域偏口语化,但在正式写作中也可使用,不过更倾向于使用“achieve two objectives simultaneously”等正式说法。需注意:不要将其与“kill two birds with one stone”的字面含义混淆,避免在严肃语境(如涉及动物)中误用。另外,该习语在美式英语中更为常见,英式英语同样使用,但可能更倾向于“kill two birds with one stone”或“kill two birds with one stone”的变体。
常见搭配
- kill two birds with one stone
- try to kill two birds with one stone
- hoping to kill two birds with one stone
- can't kill two birds with one stone
- effectively kill two birds with one stone
- kill two birds with one stone approach
- a way to kill two birds with one stone