Back to idioms
WisdomSuccess

一举两得

yì jǔ liǎng dé

Literal Meaning

One action, two gains

Meaning

To achieve two goals with a single action; to kill two birds with one stone.

Origin Story

From the Book of Jin. A general named Bian Kun saw two tigers fighting over a sheep. He wanted to kill them, but a servant advised him to wait. The tigers fought until the smaller one died and the larger one was exhausted. Bian Kun then easily killed the exhausted tiger, obtaining two tigers with one effort.

When to Use This Idiom

Use 一举两得 when:

  • You accomplish two things at once
  • A solution solves multiple problems
  • Praising an efficient strategy

Example Sentences

骑自行车上班既锻炼身体又环保,真是一举两得。

Qí zìxíngchē shàngbān jì duànliàn shēntǐ yòu huánbǎo, zhēnshi yìjǔliǎngdé.

Riding a bike to work exercises the body and is eco-friendly; it really kills two birds with one stone.

这样做不但省钱,还能省时间,简直是一举两得。

Zhèyàng zuò búdàn shěngqián, háinéng shěng shíjiān, jiǎnzhí shì yìjǔliǎngdé.

Doing it this way not only saves money but also time; it's a win-win.

Ready to start learning?

Launch the app and explore all features: dictionary, stories, flashcards, and more.