一举两得 yìjǔ-liǎngdé literally one action, two gains (idiom)
literally one action, two gains (idiom); figuratively two birds with one stone
How to remember 一举两得: 一 one + 举 lift + 两 two + 得 get = literally one action, two gains (idiom).
Characters
How it is used
- 'One action, two gains' = to kill two birds with one stone - 在家办公既省时间又省钱,一举两得 (zàijiā bàngōng jì shěng shíjiān yòu shěng qián, yìjǔ-liǎngdé) working from home saves both time and money - two wins at once.
- Used to praise a neat solution that solves two problems together. Near-synonym 一石二鸟 (yìshí-èrniǎo) is the more literal 'two birds, one stone'; 一举两得 is the plainer, more common phrasing.
- Positive, everyday register.