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

  1. 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。
  2. 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。
  3. 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。
  4. 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。
  5. 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