CHENGYU
一举两得(yī jǔ liǎng dé)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral
- Source:
- 《战国策·秦策二》
MEANING
- Literal
- one action, two gains
- Figurative meaning
- to kill two birds with one stone
ORIGIN STORY
From the Strategies of the Warring States: an adviser argues that a single campaign would win his king "two fruits in one stroke" — fame and order together. The phrase celebrates efficiency with double rewards.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to kill two birds with one stone”
EXAMPLES
骑车上班既环保又锻炼身体，一举两得。Qí chē shàngbān jì huánbǎo yòu duànliàn shēntǐ, yī jǔ liǎng dé.HSK6
Cycling to work is green and healthy — one ride, two gains.
在旅行中学习，真是一举两得。Zài lǚxíng zhōng xuéxí, zhēn shì yī jǔ liǎng dé.HSK6
Learning while traveling is killing two birds with one stone.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Both gains must come from a single action — not two separate efforts.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01